Dogs Trust

[LuckyNumber1]

We are looking to rehome a dog and thought we might try the Dog's Trust but while researching I've read some very worrying comments including this Dogs Trust Reviews - Read Reviews on Dogstrust.org.uk Before You Buy |
www.dogstrust.org.uk
We have also heard that dogs are left unattended overnight from close of business. Can anyone confirm if this is correct? Any other comments based on recent personal experience please?

Have a look at their CEOs salary and then what food they feed the dogs in their care. Tells you all you need to know about how much their genuinely care for the dogs. And it's not just Dogs Trust. It's many big rescue centres that have 'branches' (independent ones that 'foster' dogs out to people are much better IME) treat the animals awfully. Cheapest food they can find. Rubbish toys. No exercise etc.

Someone will come along and rave about 'adopt don't shop' but having adopted a dog once (I will not name the charity - but it operates UK wide and has several 'branches') and the charity was downright disingenuous about the dogs characteristics...I would never adopt again. And I'm not the only one - a woman adopted an XL bully (with a known history of aggression) from the RSPA about a year ago now. The advert said it was child and pet friendly. No history of aggression. She died. It was all over the news at the time.

If you want to adopt - try breed specific (Spaniel Aid, SWGC etc) as they tend to actually care for the dogs rather than profiteering which is what the big charities do. Don't use a national centre with branches.

And FFS don't use one that picks the breed for you. Chances are you'll end up with something that no one in their right mind would pick (which is why they have done it - to rehome 'problem dogs' that would otherwise be ignored).

The dog we now have spent a week living with the manager (who lived on site) because she was getting really upset in kennels....didn't even manage one night.
They called us as they knew we were looking to rehome a staffie

I'm sure you get good and bad in every organisation tho

They now say on their website that you don't get to choose a dog, you can notify them of the ones you like and based on that they will find you a suitable match.

Um, no. I'd like a bit more of a say.

Don’t trust them as far as I can throw them. Lied all over social media about how they never put a healthy dog down, that they wouldn’t put their XL’s to sleep (all lies). Refuted each post every time they were asked, with a word salad. All they had to do was be honest.

Get loads of money, more than ever but take on less dogs.

I think the staff (lower paid) probably do care, I know someone who works there…

I find their current rehoming process confusing. I adopted my dog from them 9 years ago after seeing him on their website. I wasn't especially interested in any other dogs they had in at the time as most were small breeds which don't especially appeal to me. I'm guessing they must let you have some say in the breed, otherwise that's very odd?

We're looking for a companion for our dog and I didn't bother filling out an application with Dogs Trust this time, as I feel like our dog will only get on with a handful of breeds, so it seemed pointless. We have an appointment to meet a RSPCA dog on Monday. With our local RSPCA the procedure is the exact opposite to DG and you have to apply with a certain dog in mind.

I'm really surprised at everyone's negative experiences here. We adopted our Border Collie when he was a pup from them and have nothing but praise for them. Maybe it depends on individual branches?

I've been warned that it's a charity to avoid working for. I guess culture comes from the top, and goes all the way down.

They were very rigid in what they’d consider suitable for us a few years back as my DC were youngish(about 12 and 10 IIRC).
They allowed every visitor to wander through the kennel area then select which dog they were interested in. Of course the young/pretty dogs were in demand and every time we went, despite saying we were looking for a medium sized dog at best, and flexible on breed/age, they offered us greyhounds.
A lot of the dogs were not assessed so couldn’t go to families. If you worked, had kids under a certain age, not had a dog before(me, DH had many growing up), that ruled you out of consideration for lots of their dogs. In fairness, the staff did seem very caring.
We went to a smaller charity who had a less rigid approach, suggesting a dog that might be happy with us. They said we could go in but would only meet the dog if we all felt happy to pursue things after a chat. We fostered her first after a few visits to walk and spend time with her before ‘adoption’ later on.
They were very thorough, realistic about working families, and put the dog first.
Sadly she has passed but we had some happy years with her.