Need help with rehoming a dog

[ProtegeMoi]

I have been desperately trying to rehome my lovely, well behaved dog for the last 2 months with no luck and things are getting worse so I'm really struggling.

I don't want to rehome him privately so have contacted every rescue centre in my area, offered to make a donation to cover his care and understood they will not be able to help immediately but I'm getting nowhere. So many don't even answer the phone, or return messages. One asked me to email and have never responded to the email, or the subsequent messages left.

I'm starting to feel like privately rehoming him is the only option but I wanted to guarantee him a good home and I don't know how I can do that this way.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? It's breaking my heart to have to let him go so I just want what is best for him.

[LadyTurmoil]

have you got FB? You could try posting on www.facebook.com/groups/MASTIFFGD/ They are not a rescue but a group who try to find homes for larger breeds. Good luck

[miserablemoo]

Hi
Did you try pendle dogs in need? They do fantastic work but they are very busy. They rehomed a rottie girl a few weeks ago and have a list of pre checked homes waiting for the right dog. They are on facebook and have their own website. Please do try them if you haven't already. They all have full time jobs and families though whilst saving these dogs (they have had a couple of dogs they have found in very bad conditions due to being used as bait dogs. Heart breaking to see but they work tirelessly with them and find new homes)

Good luck.

[nuttymutty1]

Link to your posting on dog rescue pages and I can bump/promtote that for you

[ProtegeMoi]

Not tried lizzies barn, will call them in the morning. The rest have all said no.

[Scuttlebutter]

OP, I'm sorry you are still struggling. However, it's difficult to know what else to suggest without knowing which rescues you've already tried. Three more suggestions for you. Hope Rescue, Lizzie's Barn and you could also try Iron Mountain who specialise in large breeds.

Also have you tried Poplar Farm or Many Tears?

[Floralnomad]

Have you no family that would take him if you paid them keep ?

[ProtegeMoi]

Well still no success :(

Lost all faith that any rescue will help now, it seems I'm just watching things get worse and waiting until Zeus reacts and loses his life.

Feeling very defeated right now

I've offered £100 to the rescues, I've offered to keep him here while they find him a home, I've offered to drive him to virtually anywhere in the UK and nothing is good enough.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Yes, I have actually read the thread - there's no need to be unpleasant.

[Whoknowswhocares]

SDT
The OP's son is autistic and physically attacking the dog as his condition worsens! It's not a fault of either of them but to suggest a trainer could help their relationship makes me wonder if you've actually read the thread?

OP. I have no advice but want to wish you every success in rehoming your dog

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Is it possible that a trainer could help improve the relationship between your son and the dog?

[ProtegeMoi]

Thank you for the advice, few more options there for me to try and a huge thanks to the poster who has messaged me some contacts, will keep trying!

I'm not going to put him in a pound don't worry, I know all too well what his fate will be.

To the poster who suggested a trainer, he is a very well behaved dog, has been through training and has no behavioural issues. I don't believe any trainer can teach a dog to deal with abuse and why should they, no dog should have to deal with that but I am physically powerless to stop it.

When I say it is getting worse, I mean the dog withdrawing. He cowers when people shout, when people approach too quickly. I am working with him a lot and spending huge amounts of time with him when my son is in bed to ensure he knows he can still trust people and of course I am keeping them seperated as much as humanly possible.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

ProtegeMoi - I heartily recommend the Dogs' Trust - we got our second dog from them. She was over 4 at the time we got her, and she was by no means the oldest dog in Glasgow Dogs' Trust at the time.

They were amazing - they couldn't have done more to make sure we were the best fit for her, and vice versa.

The problem for the rescues is that they are overwhelmed with dogs needing rehoming. On one of our visits to our local Dogs' Trust, we met a chap in the car park - he had two huskies, that he had rehomed for a friend, but it hadn't worked out, and he needed to surrender them for rehoming. Dogs' Trust Glasgow was full up at the time, and had a waiting list, as had every other rehoming charity or rescue he had tried.

[ReadyisKnitting]

Hi Op, I've spoken to a friend I have (who's not on mn), and will pm you her advice. She does emphasise to not touch touch Cheshire Dogs Home with a barge pole, as they are a pound, and your lovely boy deserves so much better.

[Driveway]

What about getting a trainer in to help him deal with your son for now, if it's getting worse by the day?

[misdee]

Try heathlands in Royston. They are slow at replying, but please keep calling.

[kilmuir]

? Large breed dog rescue

[Owllady]

m.arasrescue.com/

[Owllady]

Bizarrely I thought of yesterday when I saw an advertisement poster for ARAS, Bedford. Have you tried them?

[minkersmum]

I also agree that these pages like nuttymutty1 suggests are worth a try.

I am on one for bc's and they often have rescues and they are rehomed/fostered fairly quickly.

There has to be someone out there.

Why would a rescue tell you to dump him somewhere? Thats really helpful

[sebsmummy1]

Ok, if it were me and I had exhausted all avenues I would approach your local newspaper(s).

You have a very genuine and sad reason for rehoming what sounds like a gorgeous dog with a fabulous temperament. I also think it highlights the situation with so many animal charities and rehoming centres at the moment. Donations dropping, demand rising. I wonder if off the back of a newspaper article you may be inundated with offers for help.

Certainly worth a try. I'm sure your local paper would have a website. I would ring the articles section.

Good luck xx

[needastrongone]

Did you try Dogstrust?

It doesn't sound like your dog will bite, he sounds lovely enough to give a warning snap, and you sound lovely enough to be vigilant and be aware of his warning communications.

Agilitynet often have adverts on for rehomes, put as much information on as you can, some pictures, explain the situation.

If you keep posting, I am sure folk will come up with ideas.

[nuttymutty1]

Ok

Have you registered on dog rescue pages?
Log onto all the facebook pages you can agilitynet, obedience UK, dog training tips, Rottweilers loers, rottweilers UK, Rottweilers Life line etc.

Plaster your dog everywhere.

Make all dogs owners see his face on at least a couple of pages. Don't put him in a pound he will have a week of captivity and then be PTS.

[ProtegeMoi]

I seem to have exhausted every option and getting nowhere :(

It's soul destroying to realise there is no help out there. So called rescues have advised me he is too old at 4, they can't rehome males, to dump him somewhere as then they will have to take him as abandoned and even to put him to sleep!

It's looking like the pound is the only option left but that will destroy me to have to do that, him suffering eventually biting my son and losing his life as a result will destroy me more however. I just don't know what to do anymore. This is hard enough already.

[chocaholic73]

Try here www.k9interventions.co.uk/index.html - they take dogs from all over so don't be put off by them not being near to you. DH takes our dog training with them and they really care. May be able to advise you if nothing else.

[ilovedogsandcats]

Have you tried Homeless Hounds in Preston?