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Original poster

Time for another rescue hound - but now we've got kids, the chances we'll get one are low!

38 replies

GayByrne · 30/09/2014 14:31

We lost our beloved rescue hound (RSPCA) recently - we had him for nearly 10 years, well before the kids!

Anyway, we're looking at getting another one as we're a great home for a dog. However, the kids are 2, 4 and 6 in May...they are chilled kids having had our love since before they were born and are not excited about dogs, don't mither them etc.

I've been in touch with the RSPCA and Dogs' Trust and they have both said it'll be hard to place a dog with a family like ours.

I really want to rehome a dog - we got our love when he was 7 so we're happy to do that again. Whatever type/size - it's all about personality.

Is there any chance we'll be able to get another rescue dog? I believe there are enough of them in the world wanting a home and don't want to buy a puppy because of this - but will we have to?

OP posts:
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ClaimedByMe · 30/09/2014 14:33

Try a smaller local rescue? Do you have breed in mind?

D0oinMeCleanin · 30/09/2014 14:35

Greyhound and whippet rescues, generally don't have blanket bans on young children.

CMOTDibbler · 30/09/2014 14:36

Try EGLR they def place dogs with families - we've had 2 from them Grin including my new puppy who was born in foster

EveDallasRetd · 30/09/2014 14:38

We rehomed FatJess (JRT/Corgi) from Ireland via the DogsTrust when DD was 6 mths.
We rehomed MuttDog from Many Tears Animal Rescue when DD was 4
We rehomed RottDog from Ardley Rescue when DD was 6

My friend fostered 2 Lurcher X pups from Evesham Lurcher and Greyhound Rescue when she was heavily pregnant and ended up keeping one after the baby was born.

Don't bother with 'well known' Rescues. Look locally and get them to assess you and your home, or go somewhere like MTAR that has homecheckers all across the country and take each case on its own merits, rather than having a blanket policy

LadyTurmoil · 30/09/2014 14:55

Many smaller rescues will consider families with younger children. I don't know where you are in UK, but try Pro Dogs Direct, Many Tears, Ravenswood Rescue, Pups Needing Homes.

I recently got my (totally lovely and soppy) rescue dog from Balkan Underdogs and I previously volunteered for Action Aid for Animals. They will definitely consider families with younger children, especially if the children are used to dogs already.

For example Princess or Sweep They are both Balkan Underdogs but AAFA are "advertising" them on their pages to try and find a home.

Good luck Smile

Bubble2bubble · 30/09/2014 15:28

There are a few child tested doggies here

littlehayleyc · 30/09/2014 15:29

The RSPCA branches are run independently, so just because one has said this doesn't mean they all will. We applied to our local RSPCA when our children were both under 5 and they didn't have a problem, but of course they would only rehome a dog with us who's proven with children. There are some good rescues who use foster homes (so get to know the dogs very well) and rehome nationally. Some have already been mentioned but Friends of the animals RCT and Hope Rescue are two I know of. If you'd be happy with an older dog, the Oldies Club are another who use foster homes and as far as I know don't have any blanket rules about children.

Original poster
GayByrne · 30/09/2014 15:53

Thank you so so much. You've given me hope and I've already contacted Hope Rescue about one of theirs!

Thanks again guys.

OP posts:
Pasithea · 30/09/2014 16:01

If you like springers try English springer spaniel welfare

LadyTurmoil · 30/09/2014 16:57

Four Paws Rescue have dogs in foster so have been child/dog tested.

Whippet81 · 02/10/2014 05:15

I don't know how some places ever rehome a dog. No children, no one who works more than 3 hours in a row yet anyone can go and get a puppy.

Greyhound/Lurcher/whippet - my retired racer is great with kids - they are sensitive but if your kids are taught well they are incredibly gentle, sleep a lot, don't need a lot of exercise and take up a lot less room than you think as curl up to nothing.

Also much less snobbery about rehoming than some of the big centres - yet they always do home checks where I've noticed a lot of the big groups don't always.

Look at RGT, Scruples, ELGR and Hounds First :)

EasyToEatTiger · 02/10/2014 19:45

So many dogs are returned to rescue because they find children frightening, or the dog snaps. We had a dog who didn't like children. We trained the children and dealt with it. We have a new dog who has been beaten by children - something we only thought when he'd stopped being so terrified of breathing. We have to deal with it. When you go to rescue centres, it might be worth going into how you are going to deal with problems that crop up.

WonderIfThingsWillChange · 02/10/2014 21:03

Which dog from hope rescue gayByrne? I have adopted from them with young children and they have been fab Smile

KatharineClifton · 03/10/2014 16:31

As others have said, smaller rescues will definitely be more helpful. I would only take a dog that has been fostered though in your position. It isn't possible to assess a dog in kennels. My first rescue I adopted came from one of the rescues mentioned above (not Hope), but had been in kennels for 6 months and not fostered. She luckily was absolutely fine with all children, but in every other respect the rescue assessment was completely incorrect.

Whippet81 · 03/10/2014 21:03

There is a beautiful 6 month old Lurcher called Meggie on Hounds First - it says she is dan with children of all ages and is in foster with cats :D even if no good for you at this time it does show it is possible.

Whippet81 · 03/10/2014 21:04

That should be fab with children of all ages!

bluetrees · 03/10/2014 21:23

Birmingham Greyhound Protection will rehouse with kids. Greyhounds are fab with children. We got ours from there. They do have a couple who they wouldn't home with kids but they definitely don't say kids = no dog.

Original poster
GayByrne · 03/10/2014 22:12

Thanks again everyone, you've been life-savers!!

The one at Hope was reserved for someone else BUT we're going to look at another hound tomorrow who has been in foster-care for a few weeks and has proven to be great with kids and in general a very laid back sort!

We are so excited and whilst we're not looking for a replacement for our love (as if!) we definitely have a hound shaped hole in our lives. We hope to prive a good fit for him!

He's from Many Tears Animal Rescue and his name is Evan, the Beagle. Google him (can't do links at the moment for some reason).

I shall let you all know how we get on! x

OP posts:
Whippet81 · 03/10/2014 22:50

Brill keep us updates :)

WeAllHaveWings · 04/10/2014 08:52
Time for another rescue hound - but now we've got kids, the chances we'll get one are low!
Original poster
GayByrne · 05/10/2014 20:36

Thank you!! He's here!!

I'll post a photo of him in front of the fire after a wet walk this morning (hence detritus all over the living room floor!). He is the laziest hound ever. Loves human contact, I'm currently skewed on the ipad as he's lying across my lap snoring!

He is an absolute food whore, no surprises there. On a walk this morning he was brilliant, the 2 y o could walk him. He caught a few scents but came back to us. His recall could do with a little work though, training treats are on our list. He's a right fat bastard so they're only going to be the one calorie treats!!

He is kind and patient. He didn't wee in the house at all, which we were thrilled with. We thought he'd at least do one to mark, but no. He slept with me in the spare room curled up on the bed with me. I know, I know, but we felt like we had to let him settle?! I hope that we'll be able to transfer to him sleeping in the kitchen soon enough. The foster family said he had been travel sick before so we were ready but we picked him up at about 10pm so it was quite a long time after him last meal so he was ok in the car but when we were in bed he got up to be sick, which was no big deal.

We love him. He's just great and we hope to make him very happy.

Thank you for your replies esp LadyTurmoil who first mentioned Many Tears Animal Rescue.

Thank you so much. Xxx

Time for another rescue hound - but now we've got kids, the chances we'll get one are low!
OP posts:
code · 05/10/2014 20:45

He's gorgeous!! Congratulations, he sounds like a fab boy.

Lovethesea · 05/10/2014 21:02

He's lovely! And a real fire, heaven for him!

Enjoy :-)

WeAllHaveWings · 05/10/2014 21:11

Bloody hell you moved fast! Glad to see you got him, he looks right at home already.

LadyTurmoil · 05/10/2014 23:24

He looks lovely, I can't believe that you got him so quickly! Good on MT for being reasonable and understanding you could offer him a great home.

My rescue has a tail like a beagle, sticking up in the air while his nose is on the ground, so I have a soft spot for beagles! Wishing you loads and loads of luck with him and many happy times with him ??