Dog rescue centre dismisses us out of hand simply..................

[dark_castle1]

because we live in a flat above shops.

We lost our beloved Suzie almost two years ago now and are only just starting to think about another dog and thought lets register with a rescue centre and take it from there.

Anyway we went and explained we were not ready yet to rescue another dog but would like to register and have someone come and check out our home etc. As soon as we mentioned we lived in a flat above shops we were told no way would they allow us to rescue a dog. Literally one minute from our home is a massive piece of waste ground a dog can run around on, two minutes away is the beach which we told them about and still they would not let us register. We had Suzie 15 years before we had to let her go to play at Rainbow Bridge and we still have her son Benny who is now almost 13 and he has had two major operations which cost us a lot of money but our dogs were always treated like family and we would do anything for them.

Now we are dismissed out of hand as being unsuitable as dog owners ! Well all I can say is NO more donations to any rescue centres if that is the attitude they are adopting.

We would not entertain buying a pup that is advertised as we feel there are too many dogs in rescue centres needing a forever home.

Sorry for length of post but just needed to rant somewhere.

[dark_castle1]

Well, for the moment it looks like it is the end of us looking to rescue another dog !

My wife is terribly upset about the way we were treated and has said as far as she is concerned they all can advertise as much as they want for donations and homes for dogs but she will not be entertaining any thoughts of giving either now.

Oh well I suppose that is that !

Thank you pinx for volunteering too put us in touch with a rescue centre but no point now it seems. We were even willing to travel to meet the right dog to see if it accepted us because that is the most important thing, the dog accepting its new family.

[**towery**]

RC  give it  time

let youe wife read this and understand that its not all  rescues that do this

a new friend may turn up unexpectly  from anywhere, from chance meetings or  notices

my parents ended up with a dog after Dad had a  blind lady who was a regular passenger talk to  him of her need to find a good home for her dog after her husband had died suddenly,

he asked around the depot and family and friends but she ended up with us for the next 8yrs of her life

[dark_castle1]

Towery she has read the thread and her words were " why should we be the ones to run around in circles and jump through hoops to rescue a dog when we have been treated the way we were.".

Think it could be a loooooonnnng time before she calms down enough to start looking again ! It took almost two years to even have us thinking about another rescue because Suzie meant and still does mean so much to us. One family member that could never ever be replaced.

[dark_castle1]

Towery, even showed her these pics and asked her if she wanted me to phone about this little bundle of fluff and she said NO !

[mygreyangel]

I was turned down by the local RSPCA.  The inspector that came out on the home visit clearly didn't like me from the minute I opened the door, didn't believe that I would be taking the dog to work with me (which I had explained when I visited the shelter) and it came as no surprise when I was knocked back.

I felt hugely humiliated and pretty much gave up on the idea of getting a dog at all.  

I got Harry about 6 weeks later from a small local rescue organisation without any problem at all  .

That was nearly 12 years ago and he still comes to work with me every day.

[mygreyangel]

...... and what I meant to say was don't let one bad experience with an organisation that seems to have more than it's fair share of jobsworths put you off entirely.

[chickengrandma-2008]

I think the RSPCA is like that.  We were friends with the managers of the local RSPCA shelter (hubby used to take spare goats milk there for the animals and we got to the 'they'd pop in for a cup of tea' stage.  They left a few years  ago now but we still email.)  Even they didn't agree with the restrictions they had to impose, but those were the rules from higher up.  I think that was one of the reasons they 'parted company'.:|  

[stampingpat]

awwww that one looks just like Roxie only cream coloured.

Personally I wouldn't give any money what so ever to the big rescue in question. Unfortunately they employ folks who know nothing of animals at their call centres and we find if they can't get a good news report out of a rescue they don't want to know. Unfortunately not all their people are like this and they do have a wildlife rescue that is good, but only one and not accessible by everyone. I learnt early on not to go with big animal charities, but the smaller ones where the folks are really intersted in helping animals.

Roxie does have a sister that is looking for a forever home. But she has a slightly differnt temperment and build. We had originally thought we were getting the sister. The lady had three small dogs available. Dolly and Roxie and a Jack Russell - Lilly. I personally would have been okay with any of them. But upon meeting them it was Roxie that chose us. And watching how my husband got on with the dogs she was the best choice for him too. He has never had a dog. She was very attentive to him and myself and didn't growl when she brought the ball back, etc. The lady said she was a bit more standoffish, but after having her here, that isn't the case. She follows us around and sits on my lap or next to me on the sofa. And just stares and smiles at us both. 🙂 I am now worrying about seperation anxiety when we will have to leave her alone for the first time. But that is something we will work on.

   It is the animals we have to think about first and foremost. Just like we do with the hedgehogs. 🙂

[captainbovine]

keep showing her the pictures Corgi.....surely that lovely dog will soften her heart, she looks lovely.

I would dearly love another dog but we are out at work too long on 3 days in the week, I would be home for the other 4 but it's too long to leave a dog.

Please, keep showing her the pics:-)]:)

[vamo48]

It makes me both angry and sad to read things like this.  There are rescues that definitely assess all applicants individually and don't discriminate against flat-dwellers, so please don't let one bad experience prevent you offering a home to another dog when the time is right. 

After our last dog died about 5 years ago, it was a few years before we felt ready to get another one, and by this time we had a cat to consider. We spent a lot of time looking at rescue websites - not the big ones in question - for the Right Dog, but in the end he found us! My husband was approached in a pub by a woman who said she was looking for a home for her dog (marriage break-up was the reason) and that's how we ended up with a young Westie who is now nearly 3 and definitely the Right Dog!

[*pinx*]

I'm not sure how far down South West Scotland you are, but a few Rescues will rehome a fair distance, so any are worth a try.  Up near Glasgow is Hounds In Need Scotland, over by Edinburgh is LoveHounds Edinburgh.  Further south from you is West Cumbria animal Concern. Further south again is PAWS Education & Rescue, they rehome all over the Uk as do Fido's.  If it's a small dog you're after then The Little Dog Rescue also rehomes all over the Uk

You may also consider a dog from abroad, they come in all shapes & sizes, temperments & ages. I recommend Action Aid for Animals.

I could go on lol  I work with Rescues on a daily basis so have a whole list in my head 😉

[caryl576]

It may be that they do not have the staff (or time) at the moment to allow them to do home visits so are running of a basic tick box system, not ideal for you, but better than potentially leaving a rescue dog in an unsuitable flat (by definition all owners looking to adopt will considerer their own flat suitable otherwise

home visits are not cost free, and result in a fair number of wasted trips where the potential adopter is not in (crazy as it sounds many people just don't keep appointments)

that said different rescues have different policies so have a look around for somewhere else nearby and see what they say. Remember it's not just about your feelings (hurt though they obviously are) it's about giving a deserving dog a good home.

[merc1_clocks]

pinx...

I'm looking to adopt a whippet/lurcher type dog.

Do you know anywhere in Lothian / Borders area?

I have a Jack Russell, & a Parson Jack Russell, but my wee girl ( Poppy ) is getting on, & I don't want my boy ( Robi ) to be on his own when God Forbid, the inevitable happens.

Thanks for any help you can give me, Gill xxx

[ilove2patch]

How lovely Merc.:-D Would you consider a greyhound. They are wonderful.:-x

[merc1_clocks]

Maggie...it was a Greyhound that I wanted, but OH thinks it would be too big.

I keep seeing this Greyhound as I'm trawling the sites...she's called Maddie, & looks lovely...but ultimately, I don't have the last say 😐

[*pinx*]

Merc1 - It all depends how far you're willing to travel. A lot of Rescues rehome throughout the Uk & have dogs in foster all over the Uk, but would expect you to collect the dog in person.  I've just rehomed one of my foster pups to Jersey & they are flying over to get him!  Any of the Rescues i mention above will be happy to help you...not Lovehounds Edinburgh though, I ballsed on that one & they're not a Rescue (very little sleep lol)  I can also recommend..
Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue
Phone: 01386 853971 Fax: 01295 758539
Email: mail@lurcher.org.uk http://www.lurcher.org.uk

On the subject of homechecks (I saw someone mention above)  I'm part of a team that organises homechecks & transport all over the country,( and beyond sometimes lol )  for Rescues.  If anyone comes across a Rescue who are struggling to arrange a homecheck please let me know & I'd be happy to contact them & offer our services 🙂

[ilove2patch]

You can get smaller greyhounds. Damson isn't that big. I asked the rescue for a smaller girl & they showed me Damson. It was love at first sight.:-) Must admit some of them are huge!

[ilove2patch]

I know she is down south but this is an example of a smaller greyhound.

http://www.greyhoundlifeline.co.uk/adopt/greyhounds-needing-homes/isla/

[ilove2patch]

Actually she is a lurcher.

[ilove2patch]

http://www.scottishgreyhoundsanctuary.com/rehoming/homeless-dogs

Have a look here.:-)