WWYD Rescue centre being pushy or normal?

[Glitchymn1]

DH has been liaising with a rescue centre, home check passed all very quick. He’s arranged for us to attend this week, have a look around. He’s seen a suitable dog that would fit our home and lifestyle.

I said we will visit and see how things go. I’m still unsure as still grieving the loss of our lab, DH thinks it’ll help lift me. I’ve agreed to go. Make a day of it, visit the beach etc.

The dog in question has lived with another dog and they did say they’d split them but asked us to consider both. Ok that’s fine. He’s just had either a call or email saying bring crates, leads x2 collars x2 and ID tags, you can take the dogs home with you.

The rescue isn’t that close and we’ve not even seen the dogs! Is this normal?
I’ve volunteered at our local shelter and they ask for multiple meets (as far as I know). I really don’t want that level of pressure and feel a bit sick. It’s a well known rescue, good reviews.

Worried about things like health issues too, we will know absolutely nothing about these dogs.

On paper temperament wise they seem lovely, grew up alongside toddlers, only been in rescue 3 days. But health wise there’s no background at all. They’re getting a ‘health check’ tomorrow. Is this a mediocre having a feel around job? As I’m guessing it is!

I think we should cancel, he think he’s wasted their time and we should look. I don’t think they want us to look, they want us to take them home!
It’s only been 48 hours so not a huge amount of time, but if we turn up and leave that’s much worse imo?

Do people really commit the next (hopefully) ten to sixteen years on one 30 minute visit.

They've been in rescue 3 days?? have they had a vet check? behaviour assessment? that's a very quick turnaround.

No. They absolutely do not commit that amount of time based off 30 minutes.

And no good, ethical, rescue would ask this of you.

I'd be deeply uncomfortable if a rescue tried to re-home a pair of dogs separately. That's just awful.

Can you go and see the dogs as planned but be absolutely clear with the rescue that you won't be taking them home the same day?

Unless they have extensive background knowledge already about the dogs before they came into the rescue then three days in a rescue is not enough time for a full assessment.

I would question them about this.

They don't sound like a very good rescue - I would steer well clear.

@biscuitsandbooks it’s MT

@LandSharksAnonymous It doesn’t say bonded pair…(if that marks a difference) but who knows.

@SwanOfThoseThings That’s what I’m thinking…

@Chuchoter @SnoopysHoose I hadn’t even thought of that. They just said lovely dogs who grew up in a family. I asked for medical history and they wouldn’t commit, just said they get a check here. How on earth do you insure them😕 if you know nothing and if they came from a well loved family - why don’t they have all the gubbins.

I feel sick. I don’t want to go there, feel sad and guilty and just take them. I’m going to have to cancel aren’t I.

@Glitchymn1 definitely stay well clear. Three days is nowhere near enough time to check and assess two dogs and decide they're ready to be rehomed.

@Glitchymn1 it doesn't matter if they are a 'bonded' pair or not - they are each others safety, particularly at the moment. Even dogs that aren't 'bonded' are still very often reliant on each other, particularly in traumatic circumstances (being relinquished certainly counts as such), so to even considering separating so soon after they have been 'abandoned' by their family is just disgraceful.

All the other issues aside (which others have, rightly, mentioned) their blatant disregard for basic animal welfare is just disgraceful. Tbh I'd name and shame them.

Sorry @biscuitsandbooks I think I quoted you yesterday about MT, apologies if I’m wrong and you are wondering what on earth I’m on about.

@Glitchymn1 no it is me! Honestly the more I hear about them, the more likely I am to avoid. A good rescue centre will give dogs a thorough health check and take them time to assess their behaviour, not just hand them over to the first person they see.

@LandSharksAnonymous In one breath they said they aren’t bothered about being together, the next minute it was can you have both. I was under the impression it was only ever to have a look. Not commit. I’d want to have a few visits really, I thought it was the norm.

I think there's two separate issues going on - (1) you're unsure of whether you're ready or not for another dog/s, and (2) the speed at which the rehoming is hapenning.

The rehoming centre may have listed the dogs separately because they've assessed that the dogs would be ok separate and purely from a practical view, having them as a pair could put people off. So listing them separately and then talking to potential adopters to see whether they'd be willing to take them both may be a better way to go about it.

Re the health checks - they'll be going on the previous owners information, perhaps their old vet notes (my rescue came with them) and their own examination. The vet check will be fairly simple I guess, they're certainly not going to be sedating them and doing scans unless they have concerns. Getting a rescue dog is a little bit of a gamble health wise, but so is getting a pup. You can only mitigate so far eg by a health check for a rescue dog.

Re multiple meets. I live in rural Scotland so have found this to be flexible as rehoming centres are often several hours away. Some dogs need several meet and greets to build up a relationship (and are advertised as the person needing to be local) whereas for others this isn't needed. Practically, the rehoming centre might be thinking you're serious adopters, you have passed your home check, you're travelling and for these dogs you don't need multiple introductions. They may also think that as you're travelling some distance it's better to do it this way than lose you as potential adopters.

Re the dogs only being there 3 days - I also don't see this necessarily a red flag. If the dog's came in as strays I would expect a longer stay for behavioural tests and observations. However, the centre may have been talking to the relinquishing owner for some time, have met the dogs before and have a full history. If they've been cleared to live with very young children then I think this is the case - you say it's a reputable rescue - my experience is that dogs are only said to be ok to live with young children if they have been in their previous home, they are fairly calm and there is no history of aggression.

So I think the biggest thing is whether you are ready or not for another dog/s. Because what you've written seems to suggest you and your husband are possibly at different places. Also remember that it doesn't have to be on a 30 min visit, you could eg see them in the morning, go away for a chat and think, and see them again in the afternoon. Or ask the rescue whether you could see them on two consecutive days (if you stayed over) and then take them home on the second day.

@biscuitsandbooks thank you. That’s how I feel. It’s like they aren’t even bothered, give us your money and get out vibes. I don’t want to knock a rescue, I really don’t but I feel sick about it. I should be happy, excited even but I don’t feel like that at all. We also have DD and I’m even more worried now. What if there were no toddlers, it could all be lies.

I wouldn’t trust Many Tears as far as I could throw them. Walk away from this OP, trust your gut feeling - you know it’s not right, for you.

@Glitchymn1 the fact you have a child is even more of a reason to cancel. They're being incredibly irresponsible and clearly don't give a shit about where the dogs actually go or about your child.

Pretty disgusting behaviour, really.

Just to add that I have met many rescued dogs on walks that were entirely the wrong dog for the owner. High needs dogs given to people who don't have the time, dedication, money or knowledge to meet the dogs needs but are persevering in misery because they don't want give the dog up as they feel it's a slur on them.

Elderly people being given high energy dogs. I met an elderly lady recently who I know about her elderly greyhound dying last year. The rescue had given her a young Italian greyhound and told her it's exactly the same as a greyhound but much smaller.

What a load of crap and now this poor woman is out walking the high energy dog and being stressed at the amount of exercise the dog needs when her elderly greyhound had been perfect for her and just plodded along for a short walk a couple of times a day.

@YourWinter I feel gullible and way too trusting, which given my real life job is laughable. My heart rules my head that’s the problem. I’d have them all if I could.

@noctilucentcloud It doesn’t appear they have any vet notes, from what I gather. If we go I can ask more questions and see evidence.

And you are absolutely right, DH thinks it’ll help, I am willing to go but only that. I am not bringing them home after seeing them for 30 mins! I’m worried about the conditions now too and being potentially lied to and back to getting a pup- at some point.

@biscuitsandbooks That’s how I feel. Give us your money, ask no questions and get out.
I know rescues have the most difficult jobs, I couldn’t do it. I don’t want to bash them, but my gut is screaming no.
It could be legit and they could be the sweetest dogs, but who knows.

I took advice from my other thread regarding contacting local bred clubs via the kc website- not one response. Where are all the good breeders.

@Chuchoter oh that’s awful. I expect she loves the dog now too.

I think I’m going to email them and say no, too pushy and apologise for time wasting.

I wish you were in the Midlands- My friend has just passed way and seems her daughter cannot keep her dog.

Georgeous little yorkie with not malicious bone in its body .

Asked DH to forward email thread.
They’re being neutered today.

@Jessbow I’m so sorry for your loss xx

MT - run away and don’t look back.