Having to rehome a dog due to marriage break-up

[plentyofpipecleaners]

I am devastated - about the whole sorry mess - but I hate that our dog will be yet another victim of h's selfishness.

Dog is a lovely 15 month old lurcher bitch. She is fab with our dc, fully house-trained and partially trained in other areas, though testing things at the moment. Very bouncy but will be a lovely family pet .

There is no other option. H was sahp and I work long hours in a stressful job. It will be hard enough managing the dc on my own. She would be on her own all day, 5 days a week. Yes, there are dog-walkers, but she would still be alone for too long and, tbh, I don't know how I would fit in any walking at all. Finances are going to be tough too, as it will be a while before h starts earning and contributing - and his earning potential is low.

Don't know the point of this thread. Just to share how sad and ashamed I feel, and ask for advice to do it in the least bad way possible.

If you contact EGLR then they will find her a new home. They are lovely and really care about the dogs.

Well done for making sure the best thing happens for your dog at a really hard time for you

Research all the rescues available-there are many that specialise in sight hounds and lurchers. Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher rescue are one.

Here

Make sure doglet is vaccinated up to date, microchipped and neutered and you have a full veterinary history, along with his likes/dislikes, quirks, and most importantly BE HONEST abut your dog - if it chases cats, cars, pees on the sofa, has no recall, howls when left on its own, can't walk properly on a lead, etc, SAY SO.

Expect a waiting list - good rescues are chock a block full and will have possibly a very long a waiting list.

Feel sad, yes, but don't feel ashamed to be looking for a new home - you are trying to do the best by your dog.

What ever you do, don't try to emotionally blackmail the rescue (like one silly bitch on the phone to me last night threatening to PTS her collie because I couldn't take it THEN) - they will have heard it all before, and it's not their fault they don't have space and it's not their fault/choice if you choose to put the dog to sleep. (Not directing that comment to you BTW, but the arsehole I dealt with last night, but you get the gist!)

There are many others on this board in rescue who can also give advice and I am sure will add to this thread.

There are several specialist rescues you can contact who will be able to help. This is actually a very common reason for dogs to be surrendered to rescue. Rescues are NOT in the business of being judgemental - their only concern is the welfare of the dog.

Try Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue, Lurcher Link and Hounds First Rescue - all of these have national coverage and specialise in pointy dogs so will be able to offer excellent, specialist care and lifelong support, to the adopter.

All these rescues will have contact details on their website. Surrenders can take a few days to organise - bear in mind that rescues are run by volunteers, and long distance transport runs in particular take a bit of setting up.

To prepare for the surrender, make sure you have gathered together all her relevant paperwork, such as vax certificates, and any confirmation from a vet that she is spayed, plus microchip paperwork. It's also helpful to prepare a short briefing note for any foster carer, listing things like training, diet, allergies, routine etc. This can be very helpful to get her settled as quickly as possible.

It will be helpful if you are willing to be flexible when it comes to transport/collection, and also if she can leave home with a collar and lead.

Please don't surrender her to a pound - there is still a strong chance she would face the needle.

If you are having any problems after contacting these three rescues, please come back - there will be others who can also help.

Finally, please bear in mind that we are now approaching the summer holidays - this time of year is very difficult as the number of dogs abandoned shoots up, and rescue volunteers are themselves often away or tied up with DC. If things take a little while to get organised, please be patient.

It's also worth asking your vet if they will sound out their rescue-lurcher-owning clients: the lurcher owners at our practice tend to be really good clients and often have space and time for two or three dogs.

Great advice on here. Don't feel ashamed, your circumstances have changed and you're doing right by your dog.

Sorry you are going through such a difficult time.