No luck trying to get a rescue dog

[talpiog]

Can anyone recommend some dog rescues I can approach / advise me on where I am going wrong?

I have been unsuccessfully applying for rescue dogs for the last few months but getting nowhere - as in not even a response or to home check stage.

My circumstances are as follows:

• currently have one rescue dog Lakeland cross terrier (male, neutered), age 12. Rescued at 10 months. He had a lot of issues originally but we invested in time and training and he is fine now.
• used to have a rescue JRT who died a few months ago. Rescued her at age 3, she was almost 20 when she died.
• one child, yr 6
• I work from home all day, have a terrier proof large garden.
• walk x 3 times a day, I also run so am happy to take a high energy dog if needed as used to run (on lead / canicross not off lead) with my other dogs before they got old.
• broadly happy with any terrier / terrier cross, male or female up to age of 5ish (could go older and indeed have applied for dogs up to 7 so far).
• happy to work with any issues apart from biting due to having a child in house.
• can't take a dog that's currently abroad as need to do a meet with my existing rescue first

I genuinely thought I would have no issue finding a rescue dog to match with. But there must be something in what I'm writing above that is putting off rescues.

I am on websites and Facebook multiple times a day, applying within hours of seeing a new dog arrive. I'm only applying for dogs where it says they can live with other dog and children.

Can anyone help or recommend rescues?

I am based in south east but have been applying to any rescue that says they home across the UK, and would be happy to travel anywhere to meet the potential rescue.

I don't want to list the rescues I've applied to as don't want to make it personal. But it includes every large national rehoming centre.

I can see how people end up going to breeders but I really don't want to do that.

Where in the south east (roughly). I'm a foster for a rescue and if you are nearish me I can give you loads of small reputable local ones who will take you seriously. Sounds like a great home!

Thank you, it means a lot to hear that. I'm starting to feel like I'm missing something with what I'm offering to have so many not reply.

I really am not looking for a perfect dog and I know the hard work it takes when you rescue (my current dog was in 8 plus homes before he landed with us, so was a mixed up, nervy lad).

Roughly I am near London. Please do PM me with any suggestions - or post here so others can find them in future searches if you think that's beneficial.

We had our previous rescue dog from a place in Wansford nr Peterborough, a long time ago now but they are still going. Maybe Google?

animal Angels global

a very good reputable international animal rescue and adoption charity.

Have you tried pets for homes?

The first rehoming centre that we enquired with didn’t have any dogs that they considered a good ‘match’ for our family (I still think about those dogs that we saw - lovely dogs with sad stories)
After scouring many websites, the second centre we visited (after a phone discussion) had a puppy needing a home. Never intended having a puppy but love at first sight. Had to have a home/garden inspection first though. (He’s currently snoring on his favourite sofa)
This was a national centre - hoping it isn’t the same one you dealt with.
Have you tried a breed-specific rescue?
Sorry if I’m stating the obvious- good luck OP

That's not a rescue - that's a place irresponsible, lazy and incompetent owners go to get rid of dogs with serious behavioural issues that a good rescue won't take. Only a fool gets a dog off pets for homes - particularly when they have a 6yr old child.

FWIW, OP, I think when a lot of rescues say 'children' they usually mean over 10. Unfortunately, the age of your child is probably what is counting against you here. I would also add that lots of people are trying to rescue atm (much cheaper than buying a puppy) - my latest foster who I just relinquished had over 50 applications for her.

Keep going with it. You'll get there.

Pro Dogs Direct, if you haven't already tried them.

Have you tried Many Tears?

Is there a reason you want a terrier rather than any other breed?

I only ask because there don't seem to be many in rescues so you may find it easier if you're willing to think about other breeds too.

I've never found a rescue that would give you a dog with a small child.

I and friends have looked extensively and friends have ended up buying puppies.

I've tried the rescues mentioned here, I've also gone to breed specific rescues. I can't use international rescues unless the dogs are already in UK, as I have rescue dog already and they'd need to meet first.

I know what you mean about children, but a lot of the ones I've applied to have said 5plus, 8plus. I've obviously not applied for those that say teens / 14 plus.

What really upsets me is when I can still see the dogs in rescue kennels weeks later which means it's not that I was just too late / there was a better fit. It's that I've been rejected as not matching the criteria, when on paper against their criteria I have done. It's so sad for the dog that I'm not even seen as potential enough worth a call to explore further. I know they are all volunteers, so I don't follow up for feedback but I just wish I knew where I am going wrong as I know I have a fab environment and the unlimited commitment for a rescue dog

You're not going to get a UK rescue

It's not charity: it's a business with rich CEO's, min wage kennel maids and zero wage volunteers. Barely any dogs< 15000 in the UK so they're not giving away their revenue stream

Spain has many thousands of strays that can be delivered for a couple of hundred quid. You can get a puppy if you have concerns, but most are street dogs, not mistreated dogs from feral owners. Look online for Spanish dog rescues.

I want a terrier because I really like terrier breeds, it's what I'm experienced in and they suit my lifestyle and personality and I appreciate the terrier personality, and that "sharpness" about them.

Maybe I do need to widen my breed search. There are so many cockerpoos and spaniels up for rescue, but I've just never been drawn to them like I am to terriers.

The dc is Yr 6 not age 6 - therefore 10/11

Yes sorry, I should have said. A very tall, dog savvy almost 11 year old.

Unless I've read that wrong?

Bodoguero = Spanish Jack Russell

I can vouch for here https://www.theunderdog.org

Ask to speak with Eve if you have any concerns. I have two from here (originally Cyprus and Romania) now 6 and 11

Spaniels and therefore cockerpoos are absolutely notorious for resource guarding and as such, many in rescue will have some sort of bite history (if not an actual bite, then the behaviours that preceded a bite). This is sometimes sortable but often a genetic predisposition. Tread carefully OP.

I think the issue (if you can call it that) with having a breed preference is that you're automatically restricting yourself to a small number of dogs - then take away the number who can't live with children, or other dogs, or who have a bite history and you're left with a small "pool" of dogs all of whom are going to get loads of applicants.

It's likely that it's not a "you" issue as such, just that the pool of dogs that you want and that are eligible for re-homing is tiny and you're just competing against too many other families.

I can see what you are saying re: smaller pool - but I've applied for dogs which are still up for adoption weeks later and I've not heard back from my application. It's so frustrating.

...they're not giving away their capital

www.heathlands.org.uk/dogs.php

I rescued my dog from this local charity
They have a couple of very cute looking terriers at present
They are a reputable charity, they don't have kennels they foster in peoples homes and they quite often are asking for a dog already in the home.

I thought those were the two breeds that the OP said she didn’t want?