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Original poster

Bad experience with visit to rescue, where do I go from here?

48 replies

tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 13:35

I visited a rescue today and it went really badly, I ended up in tears Blush any advice on where to go from here would be appreciated, before I end up looking for a dog in the paper.

Basically, I had previously been told by someone there over the telephone that today was the best time to visit, and yesterday (which was when I originally planned to go) was bad.

I took time of work today to go, and found that actually it was the worst time possible. Everyone was rushing about sorting out dogs which had just arrived, and we were obviously in the way

Two girls were sent to show us around, I asked for their advice on what dog would best suit our family, and they led my and my two kids over to a kennel with springer spaniel pups in it. They encouraged me to apply for one of these, and when I said yes, called someone over.

I had already put in an application for another pup via their website, which I had missed out on, and had been advised by the person who called to 'interview me' that a pup would be the best match for us, anything except terriers and collies, and that a spaniel would be perfect. He said they would be happy to home a puppy with us, providing they could check out some of the information I gave them, and subject to a home check.

The person they called over asked me what hours I worked, and without giving me a chance to explain our circumstances properly started (quite aggresively) to say that we could not home a pup, we would not know what to expect, that a spaniel would need at least 4 hours excercise (before asking how much exercise we would expect to give it) it would mouth and nip our kids, and I would send it back. When I said we wouldn't he said, yes you would, you're a mum, you might say you won't but you will (not exact words probably, but pretty close)

I did ask what he would suggest, and said we would appreciate as much advice as possible, but he did not seem to be interested in speaking with me at all.

I felt very uncomfortable, and could feel my eyes filling up, so I told the kids that everyone was busy, and it was not a good time for us to be there, and took the kids back to the car.

After calming down a little, I left my children in the car in the carpark, and went back alone to ask if I could speak with someone, to clarify if they would consider us at all. I spoke with someone else there, who did check my application, question me more about how we would look after a dog etc, and seemed more positive. She told me to keep checking their website, and try applying again.

However, the person who was so negative, is the manager, so I don't know if it's even worth me trying again.

Where can I go from here?

OP posts:
DooinMeCleanin · 09/08/2011 15:51

She needs to live with other dogs. She's already tested out one home as an only dog and had to come back to me or I would pass on the details for you. Given where we drove to for her last home check Wales would not be that much further.

mrswoodentop · 09/08/2011 15:55

Have a look at the website for CAESSR (cocker and english springer spaniel rescue)if you are interested in a spaniel.FWIW we have a cocker spaniel ,they do mouth as puppies and are quite hard work as puppies am not sure I would recommend one with small children at the puppy stage.He is gorgeous now though (2)and the perfect family dog.
By the way for the first year they should only walk for 5mins for every month of age ,so they were wrong.Adult springers do need quite a lot of exercise although 4hours a day seems excessive.

Original poster
tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 15:56

Ah well it was worth a try lol

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DogsBestFriend · 09/08/2011 15:57

Croft Kennels is a POUND and NOT A RESCUE. There's a big difference.

Croft only homecheck with large breeds - which is a bloody disgrace as ALL potential owners should be homechecked for THEIR sake as much as the dogs.

They do however send dogs out with their first vaccs and a neutering voucher (which I'm Hmm about as any responsible establishment would ensure it's done before rehoming unless dog is too young, in which case they should follow up to check it has been done by the new owner).

I didn't get as far as finding out how or IF they assess dogs...

Original poster
tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 16:04

Thanks Mrs Woodentop, i have looked on the site, i think i'll try ringing them now Smile

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Original poster
tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 16:06

Ok Dogs, (may I call you that?) Thats one crossed of the list

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mrswoodentop · 09/08/2011 16:11

For info on spaniels also try cockersonline they also have a rescue section on their forum which has links to rescues

Scuttlebutter · 09/08/2011 16:13

DBF, I actually know the people at Croft and yes they're a pound and won't give the same level of support that a voluntary rescue will but for a pound will do well, which is why I suggested them as a possibility. There are other pounds that I wouldn't recommend at all - in fact, there are several rescues I won't recommend in Wales, including some of the "big" names. Croft are also to be commended in that they are passionate about being nokill - they only PTS on vets advice or if advised by police because of "breed" - we all hate that but that's a problem with law not the individual kennel. In fact, their PTS rates are actually far better than most Welsh Councils. I was there on Wednesday for most of the day (nearly came home with a lurcher!) and wouldn't be giving my time to an organisation if I didn't think they had some good features. They are actually trying to improve though its a slow process and they recognise this.

DogsBestFriend · 09/08/2011 16:17

Did ya suggest them ScuttleButter? Blush Sorry, I was responding to wfrances suggestion upthread!

I know they claim to be no-kill but you know me, a cynic in that department.. :o

Thanks for the info on them, much appreciated. They have a couple of litters of pups atm, btw, OP, see their Facebook page.

Original poster
tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 16:20

I've just spoken with someone from CAESSR who thought that the level of excercise we can offer is fine Hmm he suggested I apply to them (though I think he was a bit bemused by the call lol) so I'm wondering whether to go back to the original rescue and plead my case.

Thanks all of you for your help Smile

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Original poster
tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 16:27

Just found them on facebook and rang them. They have no idea what breed mix or adult size they are likely to be, so I will try to visit on the weekend Smile

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Scuttlebutter · 09/08/2011 16:29

DBF, believe me, I would NOT have suggested them without knowing a bit more about them. Save your cynicism for our crappy Welsh Councils - and their ONE IN THREE kill rates for dogs that don't go back to their homes within a week. And that is fact obtained through sifting piles of FOI requests.

And yes, I had my fill of those little wriggly, gorgeous bundles of puppy loveliness - they have a heartbreaking story but they are just adorable. Only the thought of DHs surprise stopped me from "snaffling" the lurcher though - a beautiful brindle bitch, very greyhound-y. Also, I think that walking four would be a problem when I am on my own in the week. Confused - greyhound knitting on an epic scale.

mrswoodentop · 09/08/2011 16:30

The thing about CAESSR is that they are not kennels ,most of their dogs are with foster carers.

Good Luck anyway ,I work part time and have dog and also have good back up from PIL .Having our dog has been fantastic we wouldn't be without him for anything

Scuttlebutter · 09/08/2011 16:31

OP, keep us posted!! We all love happy endings.

DogsBestFriend · 09/08/2011 16:47

I know you wouldn't have suggested them willy-nilly ScuttleButter but as I said I didn't see your post on the kennels, only wfrances' who, with respect to her, I don't "know" so had no idea of her level of awareness of this or any other pound IYSWIM. :)

wfrances · 09/08/2011 19:01

dbf- no i didnt know there was a difference,i thought they were all dogs homes .so what is a pound compared to dogs trust?
the reason i mentioned them is because i know lots of people who have had lovely dogs from there.

DogsBestFriend · 09/08/2011 19:22

A pound is run by or under contract from the local council. It's where the dog warden takes stray dogs.

The law says that a stray dog must be kept alive in the council's pound for 7 days with the intention of finding the owner. After that the council may do what they wish with the dog... they may rehome him direct to the public, they may send him to a rescue or they may kill him. Sadly all too often pounds DO kill after 7 days, generally perfectly healthy, young dogs too.

This is because the Council will only provide the fees to keep the dog for the bare minimum time the law says they must. After 7 days they stop paying for his food and keep and he becomes a financial burden to the pound. Added to that the pound will almost certainly have more dogs coming in each day or week and has not space for them all so those who have "done their 7 days" are at automatic and very real risk of being killed.

Many pounds are reluctant to cooperate with rescuers like me, who do their best to get dogs out of the pounds and into the safety of genuine no kill rescue. Some - like Fleet Kennels in Yorkshire - have a blanket policy of killing the larger dogs, the GSDs, the Rotts and the Bull breeds after 7 days without even trying to find them a rescue place or home.

And generally most pounds don't invest anything in the dogs when they do rehome them. In the main they rehome to the public without homechecking the owner (so not only could you be an animal hoarder or killer for all they know, just as worrying the dog could be totally unsuited to you and your family). Croft is commendable for homechecking when the dog is a large breed although not so deserving of praise for not bothering to homecheck those who take a pup or smaller breed from them. Lets not forget that the child who was attacked and scarred, as announced in the press a couple of weeks ago, was bitten not by a Rottie but by a WESTIE.

Most pounds don't vaccinate and don't neuter or spay. And you certainly shouldn't be returning the dog to them if it doesn't work out because the chances are that you are condemning him to his death whereas a reputable rescue will take the dog back and will have a no-kill policy.

Added to this pounds don't, with the very rare exception, assess their dogs so that they can judge which is right for you, train them or work with them in any way and won't give you support and advice after you've paid for your dog and left the pound.

A dog from a reputable and responsible rescue will be assessed, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, matched to the new owner and vice versa, bringing with him a lifetime's support and advice and an agreement that the rescue will take the dog back should the owner not be able to keep him, even if that's in 10 years time. A responsible rescue will also home check which is as much for YOUR benefit as the dog's, so they can identify and iron out any potential problems before they start and assess whether the dog you have chosen is right for your family and environment.

bizzieb33 · 09/08/2011 19:35

Spaniels & rabbits are not always a great mix, one of my cockers enjoyed an early tea yesterday whilst walking on a near-by hill. It's not the first time either Sad

Original poster
tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 19:49

Aw bizzieb33 poor rabbit Sad theres so much conflicting advice about regarding breed traits, I think I just need to cross my fingers, train as well as I can, and hope for the best.

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bizzieb33 · 09/08/2011 19:59

They are great with the children, really well trained ie will come when called or lie down & stay from any where that they can hear/ see hand commands.

We have had spaniels from when our youngest dd was 3 & they have always taken all the punishment going, yelping if stood on/ eye's poked but no aggression.

They are a pain to look after as they either need loads of daily brushing or kept in a short clip (our choice) but we wouldn't be without them.

ezzie21 · 09/08/2011 19:59

just waving the flag for cardiff dogs home

they -lovely girls in the office/kennels- were fantastic when i was looking for a second dog to add to our family

they spent time making sure our choice of a little weste x was a good fit

we were asked to bring her back for visits as they love updates

if i needed any help, had any worries to phone/visit any time

shes fast asleep next to me and has been a great addition to our family

QuietTiger · 09/08/2011 20:33

Ezzie21 - Cardiff Dogs Home is a COUNCIL POUND. It is NOT a rescue. It is one of the better ones out there, but it is still a council pound.

Original poster
tooearlytobeup · 09/08/2011 21:43

I have just sent a very long email to the rescue involved, addressing each of his concerns seperately, and answering them. I am under no illusion that they will reconsider, (more likely to spread the word and get me blacklisted from other rescues lol) but at least it made me feel better Grin and hopefully it may make them think before doing the same to someone else.

Thanks for your help and advice everyone, the support here has made a huge difference to me today. I'm not giving up, I'm sure the perfect dog for us is out there somewhere Smile

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