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.

@cardibach
Well done to your DD adopting a nice cross, I'm a lifelong rescuer and staffy lover, she'll have many years of love and fun with her boy.

Good luck with your kitty!! A photo will be required! 😆

He’s such a lovely boy. Lab sized with a big staffie face and grin. He thinks he’s a lap dog. He gets so excited when anyone comes, and brings them toys to show.
DD went away on hols (her partner was home) for 2weeks. The dog was so excited when she came back that he peed.

Hi All,
Thanks again for all of the advice and shared stories. Don't suppose anyone is familiar with AA Dog rescue? Have found the most Gorgeous Pup on there and have submitted an application. Just feeling a little nervous after some comments about Dogs from abroad, this little one is currently in Spain.

Just no op.

..

I don't have personal experience of AA Dog Rescue, but I do know of them. Are you still looking for puppies? They can't be transported until they're at least 4 months old so you won't be getting an 8 week old pup. Spanish dogs are often strays and often guarding, herding or hunting crossbreeds, so you would need to go in with your eyes wide open. Personally I wouldn't recommend a European rescue for young families as they do often come with baggage and need careful training, especially in those first few months. You would need to make sure the rescue has UK back up and support for training and would be able to step in and take the dog back if it's not working out.

@bunnygeek Thanks for the tips, we've widened our search to a Year old - this Dog in particular is 4 1/2 Months, I have a million questions ready if we decided to pursue him further!

I did get a puppy from the Dog's Trust but my kids are teens. They said there are sometimes 1000 applicants for puppies and none for older dogs. Although she was a puppy things from her difficult start still haunt her, so getting them young isn't a sure way of having no issues.

If anyone is still following this thread, meet our new Pup - Peaches. (DCs are Super Mario Fans!) After continuing to apply for rescues I got rejection after rejection, contacted tons of local centres as all advised and again faced challenges with DCs age’s. We decided to get a brand new Pup, so here she is!
She’s been with us a week and is an absolute Joy, our hearts are full 😊

Ahhhhhh xx

Spanielaid.co.uk is a great rescue. They have lots of dogs coming in and also are looking for foster homes.

Wow, she is super cute. What breed is she?

We've had our last two puppies from a breeder because of the children being young and wanting to know a dog's history. They'll be hopefully grown up by the time we come to get another dog and then it will be a rescue.

Make sure you ensure the new pup to the hilt - PetPlan Lifetime insurance.

English Bulldogs are very prone to congenital health problems, but PetPlan will cover them if insured early.

We got our rescue dog from AA Dog Rescue. They rehome their puppies to families with kids. The dogs get driven over from Spain and you collect them from Essex, so not too far from Surrey. Check them out on Facebook

Let's hope that mum is recovering well from her c-section.
I hope your pup has a wonderful life, OP and I hope she doesn't suffer from the conditions that commonly affect the breed.
The truth is though, for people to have pups, dogs have to suffer.

Some rescues have rules fixed in stone and wont budge.
I understand why but Ive also been left frustrated in the past.
I was rejected because my garden didnt have a 6ft fence around it, its basically a small field, so theres no chance, the fact im half a mile from my nearest neighbour and surrounded by private property as far as i can see was disregarded.
It was a breed I had many years of experience with, I ended up getting an underage pup from a bitch who has an accident and couldnt be with her pups anymore, tore her underbosy wide open on a barbed wire fence and when stitched back together was attacking the puos as they went near her.

Best thing I did, I now have one of the best dogs ive ever had.

I have started seeing posts from rescues about how they have had certain dogs for a while that need homes (no special needs). Your kids are used to being around a dog, which I think should count. However these places are often lots of volunteers trying to do their best. Dogs from rescues are often very anxious and even with experienced children they can get distressed.

Our kids are not young. I have been training assistance dog puppy's as a volunteer. Had two rescue dogs and have been applying to breed specific rescues for the breed I have been training and never been successful.

We have just adopted a retired assistance dog, from the charity I volunteer for. Despite being pretty bomb proof in most areas, he is highly anxious in the home. We are still working on this and he has definitely benefited from a quieter, calmer home. So I totally get the reluctance you are coming up against with these homes. They can't risk the dog coming back. It's not fair on the dog.

My advice would be to try small local shelters, who are often more accommodating. The dogs are often fostered and the foster home can make better judgements regarding suitability, than large charities

Yet on the Dog House they are constantly rehoming to homes with kids and clearly unsuitable people. I can’t understand it.

Yet on the Dog House they are constantly rehoming to homes with kids and clearly unsuitable people. I can’t understand it.

The Dog House is a TV show designed to appeal to viewers. It really is nothing to do with finding suitable owners for dogs.

They are a rescue centre!

Yes, and I imagine they operate somewhat differently when the cameras aren't rolling. It's reality TV which doesn't necessarily reflect reality.
I can't confirm that this is true but I heard that somebody asked about a dog but were told it was being reserved so it could appear in the TV show.
That dog could have had the chance of a home sooner and possibly a more suitable home.
I imagine Woodgreen is being paid money for their part in the TV show and perhaps overall it's in the best interests of the dogs but it's a two way thing: The TV execs give Woodgreen money, Woodgreen give the producers the stories they want.

We must have applied for over 10 dogs with SpanielAid by now without success.

I know they can't get back to people to say why. It does feel pointless sending in essentially the same application time after time, though, without knowing what rules us out.

@CatonmyKeyboard I'm sorry to hear that. I foster for them and to put it in perspective my last two received over 150 applicants and they go through in applications in time order.

Could you foster? It's a great way to get to know the dog(s) and if it works out you become a FF ( failed fosterer). There is a foster portal ( on facebook) with dogs looking for foster homes and you can decide which ones suit your home and offer. It's v rewarding, not always easy plus an amazing bunch of ( knowledge able) volunteers. I also help.& foster for JRT and lurcher rescues.

Thank you, that sounds worth a try. Would our cat be a problem? When not sitting on my keyboard/head/ mouse mat, she's very accustomed to dogs as she's always lived with one.

We've only applied for dogs that do say 'cat friendly', but I know that's limited our options.