How modern dog rescue centres operate nowadays

[Tykey]

We are still looking for a rescue centre dog to re-home, we're not giving up because of the hurdles that must be jumped through. We know we can give a homeless dog a great long life with us. Have applied for a dog at 1 place about 50 miles but wasn't successful. It was a lengthy application form that must be filled out each time you apply, they don't keep you on record, which is a bit of a pain. We will not go to a breeder, too many unwanted dogs that need a home. We're not bothered about getting a pedigree dog etc, we do have things we're looking for like a rough size, age, etc.

Edit: just checked the website where the dog we applied for last week is and were unsuccessful, the dog is still listed as being available. On the application form we met all the criteria it asked for, and I hope it came through we are dog lovers. We have just lost a dog that lived with our care until 2 months shy of his 19th birthday, had him since he was 10 months old. He had an amazing, active life, always walked, loved, fed on the best foods, always had good vetinary care and indeed cost me a small fortune in vets bill (and was worth every penny) for his arthritis. I'm not sure what else we can do tbh. We're going to visit this dogs home tomorrow and I'm going to very politely ask what was it about our application that deemed us unsuccessful? It'd be fine if the dog had found another more suitable home but afaik it's still there sitting in its cage.

 

[Johno please?]

There's breeders and there's backyard breeders, and they are not the same. But I guess if you're anti buying and selling animals then you're going to have to ban farming, too.

You aren't a vegan by any chance?

Ban farming? Nope, just ban animal exploitation and abuse of course.

A recent example - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68406398

 

[ttaskmaster]

"Read the room" isn't a good argument and ttaskmaster isn't, as far as I'm aware, someone who rehomes dogs for a living rather he's someone who has adopted and likes to defend the status quo.

'Read the room' is how they've always done it, which is why they had a 20% return rate with BS excuses from those that passed all the checks.
Now the rate has increased and they're being more stringent to try and reduce that rate, you're seemingly unhappy about it....?

As for me, I have volunteered quite a bit at several of our local dog rescue centres over the decades and gotten to know how most of these places operate.
I'm not particularly happy about the recent changes, but I can see why centres feel they have become necessary - Post-lockdown, the rate of abandonment has increased by as much as 75%.

Here's another link that you won't read:

Aftermath of the Covid puppy boom: ‘A tsunami of unwanted dogs’

Dog ownership went through the roof during the pandemic, but now shelters around Ireland are heaving with the fallout

www.irishtimes.com

I'd certainly not assume that some self-declared dog "experts" really do know best there.

You think someone who believes they'd be a good dog owner and has spent a few minutes with the dog knows better than someone who deals with hundreds of applicants every month and has spent several weeks working with the dog to ensure they are sufficiently rehabilitated.... ??!!

^That pretty much echoes the bleatings of several owners whose dogs ended up in the UK kill stats!!

Yup it seems pretty darned obvious that the more exacting these adoption places are (perhaps unreasonably so) then enough people will simply go to a breeder.

As stated earlier, most reputable breeders will also be quite selective over who gets their puppies.

 

[Mr Jack]

As stated earlier, most reputable breeders will also be quite selective over who gets their puppies.

There are reputable breeders?

 

[413x]

'Read the room' is how they've always done it, which is why they had a 20% return rate with BS excuses from those that passed all the checks.
Now the rate has increased and they're being more stringent to try and reduce that rate, you're seemingly unhappy about it....?

As for me, I have volunteered quite a bit at several of our local dog rescue centres over the decades and gotten to know how most of these places operate.
I'm not particularly happy about the recent changes, but I can see why centres feel they have become necessary - Post-lockdown, the rate of abandonment has increased by as much as 75%.

Here's another link that you won't read:

Aftermath of the Covid puppy boom: ‘A tsunami of unwanted dogs’

Dog ownership went through the roof during the pandemic, but now shelters around Ireland are heaving with the fallout

www.irishtimes.com

You think someone who believes they'd be a good dog owner and has spent a few minutes with the dog knows better than someone who deals with hundreds of applicants every month and has spent several weeks working with the dog to ensure they are sufficiently rehabilitated.... ??!!

^That pretty much echoes the bleatings of several owners whose dogs ended up in the UK kill stats!!


As stated earlier, most reputable breeders will also be quite selective over who gets their puppies.

But if they make it difficult people will go to a breeder and return that dog. Which makes the problem even worse rather than returning the dog they got from the shelter

 

[dowie]

You think someone who believes they'd be a good dog owner and has spent a few minutes with the dog knows better than someone who deals with hundreds of applicants every month and has spent several weeks working with the dog to ensure they are sufficiently rehabilitated.... ??!!

You can just as easily flip that around, they've spent just a few minutes with the owners. If the owners are deemed suitable to own a dog and fit any additional specific criteria for the dog they're interested in (no cats, no kids) then micromanaging the process seems silly. Why not be more transparent?

But if they make it difficult people will go to a breeder and return that dog. Which makes the problem even worse rather than returning the dog they got from the shelter

Exactly, curious to see what they say here for example - obvs this poster is prepared to wait but others have gone to breeders instead. This is someone who has already owned a dog for 18 years, meets the criteria to adopt another dog and yet still they've been rejected? Maybe there is another reason for it which they'll tell him - but they're seemingly not transparent initially in that case. If it turns out that it's just some Harry Potter sorting hat approach and some self-appointed "expert" has decided this is not the dog for Tykey for vague 'holistic" reasons then that's where it gets ridiculous.

Edit: just checked the website where the dog we applied for last week is and were unsuccessful, the dog is still listed as being available. On the application form we met all the criteria it asked for, and I hope it came through we are dog lovers. We have just lost a dog that lived with our care until 2 months shy of his 19th birthday, had him since he was 10 months old. He had an amazing, active life, always walked, loved, fed on the best foods, always had good vetinary care and indeed cost me a small fortune in vets bill (and was worth every penny) for his arthritis. I'm not sure what else we can do tbh. We're going to visit this dogs home tomorrow and I'm going to very politely ask what was it about our application that deemed us unsuccessful? It'd be fine if the dog had found another more suitable home but afaik it's still there sitting in its cage.

 

[Tykey]

Exactly, curious to see what they say here for example - obvs this poster is prepared to wait but others have gone to breeders instead. This is someone who has already owned a dog for 18 years, meets the criteria to adopt another dog and yet still they've been rejected? Maybe there is another reason for it which they'll tell him - but they're seemingly not transparent initially in that case. If it turns out that it's just some Harry Potter sorting hat approach and some self-appointed "expert" has decided this is not the dog for Tykey for vague 'holistic" reasons then that's where it gets ridiculous.

We didn't go the rescue centre today, we're going next weekend now (it's only open at the weekend). Yeh I'm curious about why we didn't get accepted considering the dog we applied for is still there. I'm going to take evidence of vets bills, various photo's and video's (including photo's of our home and garden) we took of Tyke (my late dog) throughout years, photo's of his toys, his dog pram that I wheeled him around in when his arthritis stopped him walking distances, etc.

 

[413x]

I wish I could remember why we were rejected. Maybe it was because at the time we didn't WFH and would have seen the dog before, at lunch and after work.
Just glad the eastern European rescue were OK with it

 

[Haggisman]

We are still looking for a rescue centre dog to re-home, we're not giving up because of the hurdles that must be jumped through. We know we can give a homeless dog a great long life with us. Have applied for a dog at 1 place about 50 miles but wasn't successful. It was a lengthy application form that must be filled out each time you apply, they don't keep you on record, which is a bit of a pain. We will not go to a breeder, too many unwanted dogs that need a home. We're not bothered about getting a pedigree dog etc, we do have things we're looking for like a rough size, age, etc.

Edit: just checked the website where the dog we applied for last week is and were unsuccessful, the dog is still listed as being available. On the application form we met all the criteria it asked for, and I hope it came through we are dog lovers. We have just lost a dog that lived with our care until 2 months shy of his 19th birthday, had him since he was 10 months old. He had an amazing, active life, always walked, loved, fed on the best foods, always had good vetinary care and indeed cost me a small fortune in vets bill (and was worth every penny) for his arthritis. I'm not sure what else we can do tbh. We're going to visit this dogs home tomorrow and I'm going to very politely ask what was it about our application that deemed us unsuccessful? It'd be fine if the dog had found another more suitable home but afaik it's still there sitting in its cage.

Become a nuisance. Apply for the dog over and over again, multiple times a day, phone them asking multiple times a day. Sadly it seems being a complete pain in the **** is the only way to get through to some people/organisations these days.

 

[FoxEye]

As stated earlier, most reputable breeders will also be quite selective over who gets their puppies.

Indeed, and I have been turned down by breeders before.

There are reputable breeders?

Why wouldn't there be? Why wouldn't some people who really do love genuinely animals be interested in breeding them?

If that wasn't the case, then how would we even sustain dog and cat populations? If everything was neutered and there were no breeders...

 

[Haggisman]

If that wasn't the case, then how would we even sustain dog and cat populations? If everything was neutered and there were no breeders...

I'd imagine many people who have been involved with rescues recently might suggest we shouldn't!

 

[FoxEye]

I'd imagine many people who have been involved with rescues recently might suggest we shouldn't!

Well if there was no deliberate breeding because "breeders are bad," and there were no ferals (because we try to catch and neuter feral animals, with good reason). Well, that's a recipe for having no cats and dogs at all Not just today's levels, but any populations at all.

So people with the attitude that dogs and cats should not be bred, whether they know it or not, are advocating for cats and dogs to basically cease to exist as pets.

 

[Mr Jack]

So people with the attitude that dogs and cats should not be bred, whether they know it or not, are advocating for cats and dogs to basically cease to exist as pets.

When I was young, it was common for people to let their cats have a litter of kittens before getting them neutered. Much better for both the kittens and the genetics of the population. The over-enthusiastic push for neutering of pets has led to most pets come from puppy mills and kitten farms; where the animals are poorly socialised, poorly cared for, and the main aim is making money. Not that the alternative was without problems; but I think those problems were addressable without chucking the baby out with the bathwater.

Dog breeders, meanwhile, have let to a host of problems in breeds as animals health and wellbeing is sacrificed in order to achieve a desired look. Deformed breeds such as pugs are a case in point, but nearly all non-working breeds have problems resulting from breeding for looks. Most recently, in cats you have the cluster-hump that is the cross-breeding of domestic and wild cats to produce breeds with a cool look that has been popular with an ignorant public.

I should say, I was being facetious in my comment above: there are a minority of breeders who are responsible and ethical with both dogs and cats.

 

[FoxEye]

It was also fairly common for unwanted litters to be drowned I'm not sure that's much of an improvement, tbh.

 

[413x]

When I was young, it was common for people to let their cats have a litter of kittens before getting them neutered. Much better for both the kittens and the genetics of the population. The over-enthusiastic push for neutering of pets has led to most pets come from puppy mills and kitten farms; where the animals are poorly socialised, poorly cared for, and the main aim is making money. Not that the alternative was without problems; but I think those problems were addressable without chucking the baby out with the bathwater.

Dog breeders, meanwhile, have let to a host of problems in breeds as animals health and wellbeing is sacrificed in order to achieve a desired look. Deformed breeds such as pugs are a case in point, but nearly all non-working breeds have problems resulting from breeding for looks. Most recently, in cats you have the cluster-hump that is the cross-breeding of domestic and wild cats to produce breeds with a cool look that has been popular with an ignorant public.

I should say, I was being facetious in my comment above: there are a minority of breeders who are responsible and ethical with both dogs and cats.

Dogs with health issues should be banned.
Its vile imo.

So many people desire these animals and it's pure selfishness.
"I want a pet that constantly suffering... Because.. I want it"
Boggles my mind. It really does.

 

[ttaskmaster]

There are reputable breeders?

Where do you think most working stock comes from?
They don't breed their dogs for looks or pedigree status, and quite a few working breeds aren't even officially recognised by any Kennel Clubs, because they don't have a standardised appearance.

But if they make it difficult people will go to a breeder and return that dog. Which makes the problem even worse rather than returning the dog they got from the shelter

The problem is with the sort of person who would end up returning the dog for unjustifiable reasons, and the tendency of centres to never refuse a dog unless they're way beyond capacity.
The return is still going to happen and is still counted, regardless of origin, so better to try and eliminate that rejection, no? Reputable breeders won't just give their puppies away to anyone, and if breeding was more tightly regulated we'd see a vast improvement on the puppy farm problems.

You can just as easily flip that around, they've spent just a few minutes with the owners. If the owners are deemed suitable to own a dog and fit any additional specific criteria for the dog they're interested in (no cats, no kids) then micromanaging the process seems silly. Why not be more transparent?

What's to be transparent about?
Also, what makes you think it's any specific criteria?
Your approach is typical of some people who think dog ownership is just an emotionless box-checking exercise. Such people usually come across as blinkered and very entitled, certainly not open to suggestions and advice on addressing the needs of their dog, anticipating problems, or seeking advice on dealing with issues they hadn't considered... Almost makes me wonder how many XLBs you have at home!

It could be as simple and subjective as the person judging the application, based on information supplied, just doesn't like how the applicant comes across and doesn't feel they'd be suited. Obviously if that were the reason actually given, you'd then be inundated with failed applicants appealing and arguing about their "good character", "love of dogs", etc etc and you'd never get any applications closed.
But nevertheless, if you don't come across as suitable, either for a particular dog or just as a potential owner in general, that's not something that is statistically quantifiable as such but is still a big factor.

Basically it's like a job interview - Be honest, don't try and give the answers you think they want to hear, if you don't know something then don't try to blag it.... and understand that there are various reasons why you might be rejected, not all of which are to do with you specifically. You might be a decent prospect, but another applicant could have been an even better fit in this instance.

Exactly, curious to see what they say here for example - obvs this poster is prepared to wait but others have gone to breeders instead. This is someone who has already owned a dog for 18 years, meets the criteria to adopt another dog and yet still they've been rejected?

As a quick subjective look - This is someone who, by their own admission, has "only just lost" a dog they poured their heart, soul, time and money into looking after, for over 18 years. That's tantamount to raising a child, in terms of time and emotional investment, so a potential negative.
An inspector might feel it's too soon, and many people adopt a replacement to try and displace the loss of the previous pet, rather than resolve that grief first. This also tends not to work out so well.

Maybe there is another reason for it which they'll tell him - but they're seemingly not transparent initially in that case. If it turns out that it's just some Harry Potter sorting hat approach and some self-appointed "expert" has decided this is not the dog for Tykey for vague 'holistic" reasons then that's where it gets ridiculous.

Most centres have access to a dedicated team of home inspectors, who have some semblance of training. These are the same people trained and used by the RSPCA and are about as close to "experts" as you can get, without using an appointed investigating officer. It's still somewhat subjective, but far from your dramatic tabloid suggestion of holistic Harry Potter sorting hats... Honestly, if this is your approach, I'd be more concerned about who is featured on Page 3 today!

 

[413x]

@ttaskmaster

I agree breeding should be tighter regulated. But seeing as it isn't.. Ie there's always a way to get a dog.. I do think rescues should open up a bit.
Not a free for all obviously. But particularly on the inability to get a dog if you work but can get home at lunch.
That should not be a blanket "no". Because you remove so many good homes.



I don't agree that there's no difference rehoming a puppy farm puppy vs a rescue... Your "regardless of origin" bit.

As before if theres a way to get a dog no matter what, it's not in rescues benefits to turn away someone from a rescue.. They go to a breeder instead.. Can't handle it and give that dog to the vet same rescue.

The rescue we got koda from insisted we give him back to them if we didn't get on. It's a net gain of 0 dogs in shelters if we had to give him back.
If we had gotten a puppy from a breeder, given it back.. That's a net gain of 1.

 

[ttaskmaster]

Not a free for all obviously. But particularly on the inability to get a dog if you work but can get home at lunch.
That should not be a blanket "no". Because you remove so many good homes.

Remember this is a reaction to the pandemic puppy issue. It might calm down in time, but for now it's their way of addressing a considerable problem.
Beforehand, with a comparatively easy adoption process, the return rate was 20%. This jumped to almost double during the pandemic, because it was so easy to tick all the rescue boxes and get one of theirs, and because it was so easy to get one from an unscrupulous breeder.

Dogs like routine. Those in centres are already unsettled to some degree or other, and the additional upset of rehoming and then returning often just damages them further.
A common issue that results in returns is people who do exactly ^this - Take the dog home, then go out to work, but come home at lunch, not realising that for the first few weeks (and definitely first days) of adoption you really ought to be with the dog pretty much all of the time. It's already been abandoned at least once, and the first thing the new owner does is abandon it in a strange house for several hours!

It takes a long time to build and earn that dog's trust. Our Lab took months before she understood that, even though one of us was still right there next to her, the other who just left the house/car to go shopping would actually be coming back.

I don't agree that there's no difference rehoming a puppy farm puppy vs a rescue... Your "regardless of origin" bit.

That's about the person, not the puppy. Wherever they get the dog, that sort of person will always end up returning it for BS reasons, so restricting their access wherever possible is what centres are aiming for.
They mainly only accept the returns because in such cases leaving the dog with an unsuitable owner tends to result in either abused and/or badly, and then dangerously, behaved dogs.

If we had gotten a puppy from a breeder, given it back.. That's a net gain of 1.

If it's a decent breeder, they will have other applicants. No-one gets it right all the time.
It's even harder with working stock if they dont take to the specific owner's preferred training/handling methods, and the rate of failure there is as high as 70%.

The problem impacting the maths of this is that even if you don't take and abandon a dog from the questionable breeders, there have been and still are plenty of others who will, so the 'net gain' at the shelter end is still the same, hence their steps to try and limit that increase from the side they can control.

 

[Tykey]

We visited a dog rescue centre today about 30 miles away, it was based on a farm. Not as big or well publicised/well known as the centre that refused us last week. Better experience all round, have applied for a dog, we should know more by Friday. It was a better experience as the 1 of the employees walked us around all the dogs, gave us lots of information on them.

We took to 1 dog in particular, a 1 year old mongrel about small/medium sized, mainly white with light brown patches, medium length hair, called Ben. We made a fuss of each other and took him out on the lead for about 15 minutes around a field. He was a bundle of energy as dogs of that age often are, very friendly, was going for another dog when on the lead but that can be trained out.

If our initial application is successful they do a home visit. I think (hope) the lady who shown us round could tell we would be good owners. She was a very pleasant person who I didn't feel for 1 minute was looking at us suspiciously like at the other place. Looks wise he was cute, dare I say it not as cute as the dog we've just lost but he was definitely cute. We both had a good feeling about him.

Fingers crossed he'll soon be ours. Felt sorry for the older dogs in the place, if I had land and money I'd take lots of them but I haven't, and I don't want to lose another dog for many years to come, hence counting out the older dogs.

 

[dowie]

What's to be transparent about?

The reason for rejection for a start or indeed the criteria for adoption - see the post quoted, the example is right there in the post you just read.

Also, what makes you think it's any specific criteria?

I don't necessarily and that's exactly what I'm criticising! The added holistic "woo" whereby someone (the poster in this thread @Tykey ) who has owned a dog previously for 18 years, meets the criteria for a particular dog at a rescue is then rejected for reasons unknown quite possibly perhaps because someone has subjectively just decided that's not the dog for him and they have some other stereotype in mind for the ideal owner.