Rescue applications rejected - where am I going wrong?

[Dogdesperate]

We have been looking for a Dog to join our loving family for a few Months now. We lost our DDog earlier in the Year so are experienced owners, my DH WFH and I'm part time (one day!) we have a large 3 bedroom house in a quiet leafy area of Surrey with a medium fenced in Garden.
Have found a lot of Dogs we've liked on the Dogs Trust Website but every single application has been rejected. We do have 2 primary school aged Children, could that be a factor? (would like to think not )
I just don't understand why we keep being rejected, my applications are detailed and honest, loving and hopeful! I did call to discuss but the Centre simply said they have lots of applicants for every single dog. Would really like to Rescue instead of just going to buy a Puppy! Just can't figure out where I'm going wrong.

Could well be the kids... rescue dogs can come with baggage and if they really do have lots of applicants for each dog then it's probably reasonable that they house them with adults over families. Can you try other rescue centres?

You have small children - that's your answer unfortunately.

@Dogdesperate - my friend tried to adopt a rescue in the country a few years ago and after 6 months of jumping through various hoops, she got one from abroad. She swears it would have been easier to adopt a child! There are lots of reputable overseas rescue organisations you could try. Good luck.

We had exactly the same issue. It's ridiculous. There are so many people that would love to give a dog a home and it's so difficult.

I’ve been waiting list with Battersea and Dogs trust. It’s because of children and visiting children

I did wonder if it was the DCs that were affecting our chances, but we're only applying for young puppies so that shouldn't really be an issue?

That's probably exactly why it's an issue.

Puppies and young children generally don't make a good combination.

@Prettypaisleyslippers How long have you been on the lists for, can I ask please?

Ahhh only applying for puppies might also be the issue. Everyone wants a puppy.

I'd believe them! Nothing stands out about your situation. If you can afford to keep a dog, if you have a fenced-in outside area, if you have experience with dogs, if you have someone at home to provide company and exercise for the dog, then you sound like the ideal adoptive family. I highly doubt it's a problem to have kids. So many ads mention kids as a positive thing for pets. If there were a problem, they'd have no reason not to tell you.

I have heard that many people are having to give up their pets because of the cost of living crisis. In my area, the shelters are overwhelmed. Maybe you are in an affluent area where many people want and can house/afford a dog. Could you look further afield?

Another idea is to volunteer to walk dogs at your local shelter if you or your husband have time. That might give you an in on any new rescues. There are also various organizations that rescue dogs overseas and arrange adoptions for them. "1bike1world" on Instagram is one person I'm familiar with who has done this. Maybe you could send him a private message and ask if he or any of the shelters he deals with overseas could hook you up? Good luck.

@margotrose I do get that to some extent, but it seems crazy you can go buy a puppy regardless of having Children or not, and all Children are different surely! I grew up with a Puppy, so did my DH, I just wanted to do the same for our DCs as it was such a lovely experience and friendship.

Not being successful isn’t the same as being rejected btw.

I applied for a puppy a couple of years ago, they didn’t even read my application they closed it after it had been on their website an hour because they got over 500 applicants.

Puppies and child friendly rescues are what everyone else also applies for, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, just that they found it someone already.

Are you set on a puppy? There may be a re home dog that likes kids that would be suitable? Id also say that for cats at least it's better to go for smaller rescues as the big ones just have set rules and a lot of demand. The smaller ones often will listen to your exact family set up and may be more reasonable!

@RNBrie So true, but I was so hopeful our circumstances would be suitable! I wouldn't mind an older dog at all but that's a definite No-No on most of the shelters we've tried because of the DCs.

It will be the kids. We got a rescue greyhound when DD2 was 8- most rescues don't let people have dogs with kids younger than that. Just wait until the kids are a little older, there's no rush. Our greyhound was 2 years old when we got her so a young, energetic (as greyhounds go!) dog and so much easier than a puppy.

@tabulahrasa Thanks for your comment, that makes me feel less like I'm saying the wrong thing and more that it's the volume of applicants! Hopefully our time will come! 🤞

I'd try other smaller rescues. How old is your youngest?

Our local rescue will specify minimum ages if they consider a dog suitable for families. I've seen them suggest Primary, over 10, and over 12. Our youngest was 9 when we got our first.

@hedgehoglurker Think I'll start looking for the smaller centres, thanks for the tip! DCs are 8 and 6

I imagine the demand for a puppy would far outweigh the amount of puppies likely to be in rescues. We were looking for a rescue dog for a few years but weren't successful as virtually none of them were suitable for homes with children. I don't think I recall seeing any puppies during that time, maybe one or two. We ended up buying a puppy and wish id done it sooner. Would you not consider buying a puppy? I think if you have small children it's the most sensible and safe option

Try Greyhound Trust. They are fabulous. Greyhounds are mazing with kids xx

A decent breeder wouldn't re-home to a family with small children either, though, it's not just a rescue "thing".

The problem is, if they re-home to a family with a 6yo (as your youngest is) and that child goes on to get bitten (or worse) they'll end up slammed in the media for re-homing an aggressive dog, regardless of who is genuinely "at fault".

I'm not saying that's fair or right, but it's probably the reality.

Join a million rescue Facebook groups. A dog will turn up. We had the same experience. We've now been approved and matched and hoping to get ours in three weeks or so.

@disappearingfish Congratulations! How exciting for you all!

@XiCi I would absolutely buy a Puppy, I have just always had Rescue dogs - and my entire Family too. Got my Darling Girl from Battersea 15 Years ago and they were wonderful!

@OliveToboogie Thank you, I'll look into them!