So hard to adopt a rescue, feeling peeved.

[MrsKingfisher]

My dad has been looking for a companion for a little while now, we've had dogs growing up and he has also had various breeds throughout his life.

He has the experience needed for a particular dog he liked who's been in the dogs home 14 months but the receptionist just barked he's unsuitable. Apparently his experience is not enough, she was really quite rude.

I fear this dog will be stuck in this place for years because the manager who's also a behaviourist apparently cannot find the right home. How on an application you can tell I don't know.

Feel sad for my dad and this lovely dog who really needs a good home which dad could've provided.

Obviously it is important for rescues to find the best home they can for dogs but when their strict criteria are preventing dogs from getting rehomed they need to rethink them. Unless a dog is dangerous a loving but imperfect home is much better than no home. Staying caged and mostly alone in a skelter is not a good life. I can't see how shelters can claim dogs are better off staying there for months, sometimes years, than in homes where the occupants are out for 2 or 3 hours a day or where the garden is small or where the people haven't had experience of that breed etc. Poor dog would most likely be much better off being a companion to your dad than languishing in a shelter.

Is the receptionist just a receptionist? Personally I would get your father to email someone who is qualified to deal with their dogs rather than speak to the receptionist.

Try not to take it personally. There is obviously a reason the rescue don't think the dog is suitable for your dad and that will be based on what they have learned about the dog while it has been with them.

They are not saying no dog is or will be suitable, just that particular one.

Most rescues are very skilled at matching dogs with prospective adopters, they have to be.

There are many rescue dogs and many rescue organisations out there.

Its difficult and entirely dependent on the rescue and the dog

I foster for a rescue and would say people tend to over estimate their circumstances t when applying. One of our cute but very tricky dogs for example was up for adoption and the huge number of responses showed clearly that none of the had taken into account what she needed, including lots of applications of people with kids who would "keep their kids seperate".

The person that initially said that they were only leaving for 4-5 hours but turns out that was closer to 7hours after commutes which the dog couldnt tolerate.

It's worth noting that other homes havent worked out thus they have to be sure the home is different to the one that gave them up. Often dogs that havent been through that can be more adaptable eg a puppy that might be able to left, rather than an adult dog and especially a dog handed in due to difficulties being left

There are certain things that need flexibility but if you have another dog, have a cat, have kids or work the your dog has to be able to cope with that from the start and there is no room for error.

Rescues feel lots of liability if they rehome with kids for example, so if they arent sure will say no kids because of the risk of it going wrong.

Some rescues are too strict I agree though, and some

I have had the same experience with rescue centres, they actually slammed the door in my face 🙄 I really do feel for your poor Dad, but tell him to not take it personally.

Your best bet would be enquiring through a local breed specific rescue, we got two lovely labs through our local lady. There is so many dogs in need of a home like your Dads, it’s a shame that they feel the need to be so rude

We have adopted a fabulous dog from Romania through Paws 2 Rescue. Some rescue centres are very restrictive about age but this one is not. We are in our seventies and have made arrangements should anything happen to us. They are on facebook and worth a look at. They are a fabulous small charity.
Word of warning some of the dogs have been very badly treated or on the street and need a lot of patience. Our little dog has transformed our life.

What is it with receptionists? Sure, there is lots of nice normal ones but there's always seems to be the power tripping ones.

I recently had a medical receptionist tell me I didn't qualify for some treatment that the doctor previously said I was. I had to argue with her to put me through to the doctor.

I've fostered for a rescue;I've found the politics within some rescues to be ridiculous.

Lots of clashing between volunteers,clashing between staff,lots of people calling themselves "behaviourists",people riding roughshod over others,huge egos and sadly a number of animals not being rehomed because of staff becoming attached and putting obstacles in the way of potential new owners.

Another well known rescue was advertising for a voluntary receptionist for a few mornings a week,I have tons of experience in office based and customer facing customer service;I popped into the centre with an application form they sent me,left it at the front desk,signed in,went to have a look around the centre,came back into reception to sign out and heard through the open "Who does she think she is,this isn't a job you know,she's too young to fit in here anyway,just bin her application".

Upon talking to someone I knew who actually worked there as a mobile officer she told me that the volunteers are very territorial and mainly made up of older women and unless your friends with one of them your wasting your time applying.

This is why I hate people being flamed on here for buying a puppy from a breeder rather than the rescue route. It just isn’t possible to rescue in many cases.

There's some 'dog people' who don't think anyone is qualified to own a dog but them.

My XMIL was one of those people. She didn't think we were good enough to own a dog but thought it a wise idea to bring out toddler to the no kill shelter she volunteered at and allow him to hug the big dogs there and she told us after the fact. Because apparently if she is in charge of the animal it will be perfect.

I think I'm more annoyed that this dog isn't getting all the time it needs to be anything other than the way he currently is. He's been there all this time, if the behaviourist can't help him I suspect it's not the dog that's the issue.

We've had a rescue from a similar background, once she'd settled in she was the most loving and really came into her own. It feels as if they've written him off.

I have a rescue dog they do ask for lots of information and for good reason. You can go out buy a dog and many breeders don't do any checks at all. Dogs need a forever home. I can understand them being strict but the rude receptionist is unacceptable.

This is one of my bug bears. It makes me so cross that they are denying dogs perfectly good homes because of some minor fault. Greyhound Rescue did a home visit for me, but didn't even have the courtesy to get back to me with a decision, I had to chase them. And the reason was something I had already put contingency in place for.

Not to mention the fact that they are perpetuating puppy farming because if people aren't accepted they will just buy a puppy.

Perhaps your Dad could volunteer at the rescue, and ask to spend time with the dog in question? Or offer to foster.

I agree with above poster that many rescue do have exacting requirements in order to adopt - this is because it's not good for either party if it goes wrong.

Our collie is a case in point, spent 5 years in rescue, was rehomed out a few times but nobody could cope with her quirks - an example is when we got her you could not walk her on a lead along a road without her trying to dive after anything that went past (on pavement or on road), it took a couple of years to get her out of the habit.

I completely understand that not everyone fits the criteria for a dog they have chosen and I'm glad that rescues have good measures in place. What irritates me is the application process they read a bit of paper and decide if you are suitable or not. If dad had written 'looking for a dangerous dog' he'd have been perfect. They've made this dog out to be some kind of a monster, however when you watch the video of him he shows no aggression he shows fear. Totally different.

The receptionist was so patronising and just kept barking at me down the phone. I can't stand these types of people. Pissed on her own importance. Never got past her to talk to the manager!

he shows no aggression he shows fear. Totally different but the outcome can be the same.

There is no way you can tell how this dog behaves from a video , personally I would trust the person who sees the dog daily you have seen a snippet of the behaviour....

Agree though there is no need for them to be rude

Rescues give life time backup so they obviously want the rehomings to work and not keep bouncing back to them

Also there are legal implications for the rescue with regard to the dogs behaviour, I would rather they were extremely cautious with dogs with "issues" .

It's great to be cautious but the issues they're describing my dad has experience with! I think it's his age because he's 70 they don't think he's able. Even though he's fit, active etc. Anyway nothing can be done about it I really hope he finds the perfect home with someone who really loves him, he deserves the very best as do they all.

It depends though because clearly you dont agree with the rescues assesment
Its definitely a bit of a red flag when people are confident that they will be able to change the dog.
An example is we always get people who say my kids know how to be around dogs/im able to separate them l/ but my dog is calm or my last dog was dog agressive but it was fine , we knew what to do and he then lived happily with a whole host of dogs. No one ever thinks the no dogs/no kids applies to them and they will be able to cure the dog

It sometimes makes us believe that they wont take recommendations from those who know the dog seriously and might take risks that could put the dog in a lethal situation. It potentially shows they dont understand the dogs condition

^^ I agree. There is no way you can say your anyone can deal with a dog when you see a short video - who knows more issues may have arisen since the video and info was written.

I an not drunk honest!

What I meant to say was.......
there is no way anyone can know that they can deal with a dogs issues from a short video

I'm 'howling' with laughter at the receptionist of a kennel 'barking'.
at you
Sorry.

@thenightsky

I'm 'howling' with laughter at the receptionist of a kennel 'barking'. at you Sorry.

I know, pardon the pun! She shouted 'he needs a very special home he's a very damaged dog your dad IS NOT suitable. Anyway no point in arguing with her I just hope he finds his special home.

It’s like many tears not allowing anyone who works to adopt , even if you wfh. So basically that’s just rich sahm surely? As dogs are costly.

I was looking for months at rescues and kept being not suitable as I have kids and cats. In the end I found a rescue that worked closely with some spanish rescues and got a little old spanish girl who is an absolute joy.
I do think if the rescue were saying that dog was damaged, then you have probably dodged a bullet there. Keep looking