Really annoyed at Dog Rescue Centres

[ProfCoxWouldGetIt]

Just want to start by saying that they do a great job, and if I had the money/space I would adopt every dog I could.

BUT

I've been scanning dog rescue places locally looking for a puppy to adopt, DP has finally said he'll consider a dog, but doesn't want an older dog, he wants to enjoy the fun (and hard work) of a young pup.

I've tried desperately to find a young dog (Ideally max 6 months)but not one will allow us to rehome a young dog because DD is 2.5, now I know they have to be careful, and that puppies can get very over excited but we're aware of this, and DD is so gentle and loving when it comes to dogs (and our exisiting cats) and we'll take the necessary precautions and obviously never leave DD and the dog alone.

I just can't understand why we wont be given a chance, as a potenial new home, when we can offer so much to a rescue dog, and they're obvioously crying out for homes.

ps I think Dorset Dogs rehome pups to families with young children too, they use foster carers. Not sure where you are in country, I looked at several in reach of SW London.

I'm based in South Ox, but that said we drove all the way to Norwich to pick up our cat that needed rescuing, so a bit of a drive isn't really an issue :)

Dorset Dogs looks like they could be a good option.

Must not look at dog rescue pages while at work - I get all tearful, god I'm a soft sod

Prof - just to echo ScuttleButter - we are in a very similar position but have come round to the idea of a rescue greyhound. We are yet to adopt (hope to in the next few months) but do look at GRWE as Scuttle said. I have since done LOTS of research and a socialised greyhound or whippet (or lurcher) which has been fostered with very young chikdren definately looks like our best option and greyhound's natures seems to be just what we are after (main priority = loving with DD, who, although dog savvy, is only 1.5).

I too looked (and sometime still look!) at Many Tears and, although the adorable fluffy puppies do have an undeniable appeal, with my sensible head on, I think a "teenage" greyhound type (2 years or so) is actually MUCH more suitable for us.

A teen dog as opposed to a baby might suit better. Ours was young enough to train in our ways as a yearling but she came pre-socialised, cat friendly & toilet trained and was ready for the "fun" parts of training. Tmpermentally she's perfect you can't suss that out with a tiny pup. She came from a home with children so that side of things was cool. We went with Lurcher Link as they were most sympathetic to my son's sen.

Some rescues (Battersea is one I can't reccomend on any level) are frankly a bit precious in varying degrees, in a way that winds up bing totally self-defeating to the interests of rescue. A family will ring around a few rescues with good intentions only to wind up a year down the road at a puppy farm or a preloved ad out of sheer frustration, having run out of patience with the snotty attitudes of the rescues they've tried. I've seen this happen with several experienced owners over the years and it's a real shame as it means valuable potential rescue placements are lost.

Some rescues do a good job of alienating would be owners of rescue pets, while others are fantastic.

And of course, 'teen dogs' from rescues have usually been dealt with so they're not awash with hormones. They don't get moody and need to sleep till midday either

With Many Tears you can have a home check in advance without choosing a dog, then choose a dog when you get there. I think you would have to email them to arrange this. I got my nine year old from there (ten hour round trip), and she has turned into the love of my life

But, if you get a dog from the centre instead of a foster home then they haven't really been assessed in the same way. My dog was apparently good with cats and all dogs. She is in actual fact a cat chaser which has needed a LOT of training.

It's only the ex-breeding dogs who need to go to a home with other dogs.

We only had to drive to Wales once. They did quite a good job of making sure that our Mutt was suitable for us before we all made the trip out there, so we came back with the dog. And we stopped off at this fantastic waterpark in Swansea on the way, so it really wasn't all that bad. And I sympathise with bochead's point of view. Some of the rescues I've spoken to made me feel like I was suggesting something completely extraordinary by suggesting that I might want to take one of their dogs and cats (our cat is a rescue cat too). Really, really offputting and discouraging.

2catstoomany.

"because we really didn't want to buy a puppy from a breeder or pet shop."

Just wish more people had that attitude, so that so many lovely healthy dogs
weren't pts every year.