Rehoming - did you 'sign up' with more than one rescue?

[Besom]

We've been home checked by a particular rescue, haven't heard yet but if we're accepted should we then stay 'loyal' to them until they find us a dog or do people approach multiple rescues?

Yes, definitely! I am becoming a rescue tart!!! They are selective about who they choose for each dog so no point in putting all your eggs in one basket in my opinion.

Yes, I signed up with 3 after questioning several others and visiting battersea. I was being a fussy mare as I was hunting for a companion for my then ASD 3 year old to help him develop his social skills. Noone except Battersea took offence, and noone got cross when I did find the perfect pooch.

The other two were pleased for us, and very nice about it - I don't hestitate to recc' them to others as a result. It took a year of research, and six months on their lists before we got our current dog, but I'd have been happy to wait longer. (My last rescue dog lived till he was 18, so I was perhaps more aware of just how long you can be stuck with the wrong choice if you get it wrong than a first time owner.) She was well worth waiting for. Rescue stock is rotating all the time, so you don't know when your potential pet will arrive.

We approached several when looking for both of our dogs. I look at it as being we wanted to find a dog which would be a good match for our home, so we looked at lots and lots of different potential dogs until we found the ones which seemed to fit. I think particularly if you have very specific'needs', it is necessary to spend a lot of time looking.

For our second dog, to example, we needed a dog who got on with our first dog, would be OK with small children, could be left for up to 4 hours daily and was not much bigger than our existing whippet. We found her eventually, but we looked for a long time and met a lot of possible dogs, who didn't quite fit before we found her. Getting a dog which matches with you is the most important thing.

Working in rescue we would not be offended at all if you where talking to several rescues. You can say you have been homechecked and the new rescue if they know the homechecker may not need to homecheck again.

Many homecheckers volunteer for many rescues.

The rescue themselves may even contact other rescues about finding a dog for you - (well the good independent ones will)

Thank you all.

Cuebill that is interesting, makes sense.

The only thing I would ask as a rescuer who works with a specific organisation, is that if you find a dog from another rescue, please let us know as it means we can take you off our list.

Oh and please don't tell the home-checker on their way to the home-check when they ring you to confirm directions on the day they are due to visit, "Oh we don't need you now as we got a puppy from gumtree last night" as happened this morning

Yes of course, good point.

And no, won't be getting one off gumtree!