Rescue centres and big fail

[MolliewithOllie]

I lost my beloved 'lurch' last summer and only now getting round to looking for another pointie hound.
I eventually phoned a local greyhound and lurcher rescue to test the waters about adopting an 'older' rescue (I was certainly not looking for a puppy)
I can only say that my request was dismissed as a big FAIL
I was too old to consider even a 'older than a puppy' dog - even after I pointed out that I was an experienced lurcher owner and not one of them (the dogs) thought I was too old or that my fence was too low.
Apparently their dogs are all in foster - so I would have to go and see (anywhere in the country) any dog I was interested before they would do a homecheck (which unless I lie I would fail anyway)
The person I spoke too was a bit dismissive of my positives like - home all day, fields to walk/run in, safe rural home and I ended up apologising for disturbing her at all (being a cravenly polite person)
To me the rescues are being far too 'picky' when dogs would thrive in some less than perfect homes.
Not everyone can hare all over the country to view possible dogs only to FAIL in the end.

I had encountered this previously (9 years ago when I rehomed my last dog ) but it seems to have reached a whole new level of strict criteria. As I pointed out - I could go on gumtree and buy a puppy without anyone asking how old I am or the height of my hedges.

Indeed Sham I certainly don't disagree with you that rules are needed it is their application without any flexibility that I would take issue with!
Our new puppy is gorgeous but I still can't help thinking about those dogs languishing in a rescue centre for 6 months plus & what will ultimately become of them.

On a lighter note, we chose the same breed as our last rescue dog & are off to start our bronze level puppy training classes next week

sham - had to correct you on your interpretation of my original post which you obviously misunderstood
And my statement regarding more effort put into acquiring clothes and shoes than dogs applies to many people, not just the Gumtree fluffpup brigade. It wasn't aimed specifically at your situation, although your posts did give the impression you'd given up on rescue after one phone call.
nowhere did I say I was not going to 'rescue' a dog - the facts speak for themselves as both my previous dogs have been older 'rescue' dogs - and I was merely stating that harsh criteria by rescues (and fostering out to all ends of the country which not everyone can travel to) is what turns prospective dog owners to 'fluffball puppies' picked up from internet sites like gumtree.
I was rather hurt by your accusation that I was not taking any care in finding/selecting my next dog - it was erroneous as if anything I take a long time to find a dog and have already been trying rescues (the few who are local) for the last 6 months.
I am not finding a puppy on gumtree or any other freeads site and never would.
The particular local rescue I had talked to on the occasion I mentioned was very offhand with me when I enquired if there were any suitable dogs for my situation. I deliberately did not name them but personally I will not contact them again - I am pursuing other rescues as I write.

Well, I wish you good luck. There really are thousands of dogs out there needing homes and of late many of those have come from the various sighthound types.

I don't think I particularly 'misunderstood' anything, your first post said you had contacted 'a' local rescue centre and your next stated that sadly you were looking at private rehoming.

And as I said, my comment about the care taken over acquiring dogs was not aimed particularly at your situation.

It seems the rescues can't win; either the dogs are 'languishing in kennels', or 'not everybody can get to them' if they are safe and snug in foster homes.

OP I share your frustration. Many years ago we lost our beloved dog. We tried every rescue centre in the area and none would rehome to us because we had a 9 year old.
Between us we had about 60 years of experience, of various breeds, including reactive dogs, I worked part time from home, we had an acre of secure garden in the countryside, we would have considered any breed.
The sticking point was always the age of the child.

Dog trust refused us

Some one home most of the day
No young children (youngest was 9 )
Plenty places to walk a dog
Plan In place for dog walker where needed
Secure garden
No cats or small furries
Had no fixed breed in mind or set age .On paper soundso good

But failed as only adult but am in a wheelchair they worried about if could provide enough excerscise

Mind a breeder turned me down same point after without meeting me either

But found my boy as a puppy through a friend who was willing to least meet me

3 years on my lab boy has at least 3 hrs a day plus obedience training come rain or shine