Rehoming - why is it so !*~#£"&$"* difficult?

[MrsJackAubrey]

I want to offer a loving, safe and stable home to a rescue dog. You'd think I was asking to adopt the next in line to the bloody throne!

The hoops I'm asked to jump through are bad enough, but these at least make sense. I have fenced our acre of garden specifically to meet the requirements ffs at huge cost (mind you it does look lovely).

So I see a suitable dog - I leave messages as asked, and get no reply, at rescue centres. (and I mean no reply EVER). I email, ditto. I Facebook, and am asked to phone.

And I'm happy to take a Staffie! An older dog! I'm not asking for a picture perfect Cavalier with superb manners and a love of cats.

I'm resorting to looking at puppies, and I do NOT want a puppy when there are so many dogs needing exactly the kind of home I can offer.

Any advice? Or perspective? Because I'm getting really really annoyed about it

Rescue Remedies? our Staffie was from them. Oldies Club is a good place to look too if you will consider an older dog, there is something so lovely about all those grey muzzles, and most of them are from loving families that can no longer keep them - some of them have owners that have died or gone into homes :-(

Jungfraujoch

Why don't you offer to foster for the Balkans rescue groups you're following. Then you can see what the dog's like before making a long term commitment.

I've skim read and maybe you've answered but do you have children? That may be the answer...

Bagel - I hadn't thought of that! Something to consider.

Most rescues are crying out for fosters. I've fostered twice. I specified that I wasn't an experienced dog person, had looked after dogs of family and friends etc. but wasn't experienced enough for a dog with any "ishoos"

The dogs had been in rescue kennels abroad, well socialised etc, both sweeties. I enjoyed it and was happy when they both got homes. It opened my eyes to the reality of being a "full-time" dog owner (DH and DD weren't really interested so it was pretty much all down to me). A great way to start any dog owning journey. In my opinion.

Heathlands near Royston - slow to get back to you but they DO, eventually, and they are lovely ,helpful, realistic. Recommend them!

I gave up with Many Tears. I'm an experienced dog owner, have rescued the same breed before and they just seemed hellbent on wilfully misreading my application and putting me off. After applying for several dogs, emailing, ringing etc I gave up and got one from elsewhere.
I can totally understand why people end up at places like gumtree and preloved and/or buying pedigrees. I was so disillusioned by them.

This one houndsfirst.co.uk
always looking for responsible owners and foster families.

Our first Staffie was from Many Tears and my brother has a golden retreiver with a disability that came from them too. The dogs we were interested in were not attracting anyone who wanted to rehome them, maybe they are easier to deal with if that is the case.

We've found our dog! Been to meet him today - a 3 and a half hour round trip - and he's lovely! A Romanian rescue, been with his foster family for 6 weeks and settled nicely. We all went on a walk with him, threw balls, gave him treats etc. What was really cute when we arrived at the foster family's house, he was outside with his foster Mum. As we walked towards them he came up to me and quite gently put his paws up on me - so lovely. So, home check to follow and then he can come home to us. DH out tonight so I will be mainly doggy Internet rousing/shopping 😉😄

That's lovely! Congratulations!

I found myself just as frustrated a while back. I'm in the same region as you. RSPCA were reluctant to even let me look at the dogs because I work - presumably a stressfull concrete cell is preferable to a nice home where someone comes home and takes you for a long walk at lunchtime. Dogs Trust Newbury never kept their website up to date so most dogs you phoned up about had gone. I found DT Salisbury more helpful and flexible. And one of the greyhound rescues has a habit of putting new arrivals on their website saying 'being assessed, please don't enquire yet'....and then the next update is that they have a home! I ended up parking the idea in the end but now I'm more settled I'm finding myself looking again. My family have always had rescue dogs and it doesn't feel like home without one!

Internet rousing?! Browsing obviously 😄

Fantastic Jungfraujoch expect to see some pictures here soon

I was told no chance because I live in a flat. Even though am home all day, do have access to a garden and live within 10 minutes walk of three huge London parks and the River Thames in West London so not built up at all with almost 5 km of tow path with no buildings at all. I've had a dog for almost 15 years now, one that I purchased as a puppy - not from a proper breeder - because I wasn't on MN when I got him and didn't realise the pitfalls. If I want a dog again, I will have to go down that route again or not have a dog which I cannot countenance as this a family completed by a dog. It's very depressing really.

Nicki Smaller rescues will consider you! They are usually a lot more flexible than the large, national charities. Look at:

Heathlands Animal Sanctuary
Pro Dogs Direct
Balkan Underdogs
Silver Fox Dog Rescue
Black Retriever X
Help Pozega Dogs
Helens Poodle Doodle Rescue
Griffon Adoption Group Uk

They all have FB groups and websites (FB groups are the best and most updated)

BagelGoesWalking
Here he is - he's a Romanian rescue.

gorgeous! Absolutely lovely looking dog - hope it all goes fabulouslyly!

Jung, he's gorgeous. Delighted for you and hope he brings you as much joy as our little Romanian boy has brought us.

lots of balance to be struck here, can't believe the varying experiences i hear, such a shame.

I have come across a few recently that have been able to rehome dogs that have caused them so many unforeseen problems where the rehomers have not thoroughly checked things out or been entirely clear about the extent of difficulties that some of the ddogs had experienced or demonstrate still... inlucidng those told that the ddogs are cat friendly when they are extremely not!

Its hard to hear though that the entire point of these centres is to take up your offers and they're passing them by - agreed maybe they are just continually fire-fighting... just putting all their sparse resources into looking after the ddogs and not being able to do the rehoming, but the ones i have visited seem very well appointed! surprising amount been spent on the buildings and environment.

Good luck, there'll be a ddog out there somewhere just please please drag the truth out of them! (as much as anyone can!).

oh dear! missed all these postings ... good luck anyway

Jung he's lovely! Hope it's going well. Wishing you all the best with him

We collected him today!

Oh that face! Gorgeous!

How was your first day and night, Jung?

He was a star! Settled on his bed downstairs and not a peep out of him all night! He's getting to know his surroundings, keeps trying to sneak onto the sofas (his foster Mum lets ALL her dogs on) but he's learning! DS1 and 2 enjoying playing with him. He was freaked by the BBQ today, the smoke and flames. After we'd eaten and it was put out he came back into the garden and was fine - weird. He follows me like a shadow and waits by the door when I leave the room. He barked for the first time earlier but not sure at what, plus started growling at his bone in the garden! He's now asleep at my feet quite content.