Plan B

I'm not gonna lie. I'm feeling a little homicidal seeing this happen for every third photo I upload to a profile. Uploading multiple photos takes about 10 minutes longer than it should.

Nobody can, including ACO's. All that is on the system is the current ownership details. Nothing prior. Breeders can put their contact as 'second contact' and hope the new owner keeps that or the dog doesn't change ownership. T is correct. No reputable Rescue would refuse the original reputable, registered breeder. It is one of the THE best outcomes for a dog in need. And can I just add, enough with the 'MOST Rescues wouldn't...' crap. There are a hell of a lot of brilliant Rescue Groups that do amazing work and work with brilliant breeders (who, might I add, also don't want to be tarred with unsavoury breeders so, really).

You have to remember that, in terms of websites, changing times means there are better, easier ways for people to manage websites. What you see on the front doesn't always equal what is on the back. The term 'if ain't broke, don't fix it' should never apply to technology because there's always better upgrades coming out that need to be utilised and, sometimes, this means a drastic overhaul of the entire website. Think what your internet experience would be like if websites hadn't changed with the times in the past couple of decades. However, a drastic overhaul should be about improving the website as a whole, testing every feature before going live, and not completely alienating your user base...

Ohhh, I didn't notice that. To be honest, I gave up with really bothering with PR since this whole debacle. Everything with the site at the moment is painful and a huge chore. I've no idea who this site was designed for. It's horrible to use as a potential adopter, it's horrible to use as a Rescue, it has all the design aspects of Home Brand Tomato Sauce bottle... I'd hate to think someone was paid for this. I hope not.

You can sort by rehome date. Just click 'Date Rehomed.' And when searching alphabetically, if you have a "Z" name, you just click "Name" and it'll come up from Z-A.

Me too! No worries. I'm cutting my DOL supply off as of now... Unless the foster pups decide they need to wee RIGHT NOW in an hour or so... Edit: on the mobile so can't quote. :/

Well sure, if you want to compare dogs to inanimate objects, that's completely the best analogy to use. And very well suited to Gumtree. I also wasn't venting, but discussing.

And that's it. Most people don't know an alternative way, so they Google. And then the top links are Gumtree. Which lead to backyard breeders, mostly. That's why people are up in arms about Gumtree. Because it's the first point of call for any average pet owner to turn to. Instead, shouldn't they just be listing registered breeders? Or Rescues? Or, instead, no animals at all?

You'll actually find MOST rescue groups, even those you probably know, will have had dogs from classifieds. And those dogs would have been brought to their attention thanks to forums like this, or Facebook. And I never once said Gumtree ads belong there. I said maybe that's a better place to a put a sub-forum.

I would consider an undesexed purebred pug, six months old, in urgent need. I would consider that pug being bought, going on to produce several litters of Pug x's, her whole life being to breed, her puppies being backyard bred. That is urgent. To me.

That's a misconception. Not all foster carers can take on all dogs that are in pounds at any one time. Not all 'rescues' rescue from pounds. Some do just take on surrenders and those from online classifieds.

And maybe this forum has evolved beyond just purebreed discussion? As in, the Rescue sub-forum. And maybe people in Rescue are already so time-consumed they don't have a chance to look through ALL the Gumtree ads to find the ones who might actually be in danger. I don't think it's unfair, for a Purebreed Forum that provides a Rescue sub-forum, to consider the fact that there are others who can bring attention to some dogs in urgent need.

No, it's not what the Rescue sub forum is for. Because links to Gumtree ads are NOT allowed. And dogs on Gumtree are generally not classed as 'rescue.' As someone who runs a Rescue Group, I'd hate to see the MAIN rescue forum clogged up with Gumtree Ads. That's NOT where they need to go. They need to go somewhere else, in a sub-forum of that. Because, as strange as it may sound, even those who Rescue don't always want to know about Gumtree Ads.

I don't like the Politically Correct nation, so I'm all for this thread being made. I think HW makes some good points here and the ads aren't as useful here as they would be in other places [preaching to the choir/those who can't help]. I've already made points about why I think they are useful but totally understand where HW is coming from. So what if there was a sub-section somewhere where people could post some links to Gumtree ads, where dogs might be in danger or in need of immediate rescue? Would that not stop annoying others but also make sure others who do want to see them, look for them? Like I said before, I think some of the ads posted here have really helped dogs. Personally, I know at least one has for fact. I know the links aren't allowed, but what if they were? For one specific sub-section? It'd at least keep it to one section where those who wanted to see them, could see them.

That's what I meant, linking. And honestly, if you look through most threads on the forum, it's all about people waving their hands in horror about various things. Whether it's a thread about a dog in a park that was aggressive or a neighbour who has yappy dogs or someone who has done someone wrong. DOL is made up of people complaining about something (not meant in an offensive way, I'm here too) so not sure how the ads make DOL worse? Saying that, absolutely agree with your last paragraph. That's exactly what this forum is for. And if Gumtree Ads should go anywhere at all, it should be in the Rescue section or via PMs.

I agree that DOL isn't the best place to post them - it IS preaching to the choir. However, I think most posting them are well-intentioned and hoping someone on here, with their wealth of experience and networking, might be able to help. Even reputable breeders rescue crossbreeds sometimes. Everyone knows about Gumtree but not everyone checks Gumtree all the time. From a personal experience, my attention was brought to a little Pug girl (from a member here), six months, undesexed, free to good home on Gumtree. I contacted them, had lengthy chats, met with the owner and she herself said (after I'd explained how to suss out the suspicious replies) how many people had contacted her with, what she now knew, probable backyard breeding intentions. That girl, now called Sushi, joined my pack, desexed, and most likely saved from a bad life. I understand how annoying it is to keep seeing them, and that it's against the forum rules, but is it really harming you? If some dogs are saved from a horrible life because of posting those ads here, is it really such a bad thing? Could you choose to just not read them?

Wasn't for no reason. Ruthless do amazing work for local rescues and, on top of that, have amazing products. It's an open forum, opinions and suggestions happen.

Ruthless Leather are an Aussie business that do custom leather collars too, homemade, and they do a hell of a lot for rescue dogs.

From what I've seen, from all ages of dogs, it's just about playing. Dogs play/communicate with what they have. Their mouths are a big part of that.

This is a tibetan spaniel, but not show-standard, that had been clipped. It looks a bit like a daintier-faced version of the OP doggie (so I can see why you ask 'Tibbie X?') Which is why my guess is something bigger and chunkier. But I don't know what ! Definitely some Tibetan Spaniel, predominantly. I would also hazard a guess at some Cavalier too. His head shape is quite similar to my Pug x Cavalier, and only in the Cavalier department. Can't see any Pug.

Because probably 99.9% of the time, someone is enquiring about a particular dog. I am sure that if someone was interested in a particular dog, but put in their application that if said dog wasn't for them, perhaps the rescue group could recommend another dog or another rescue group. It isn't too difficult to put a few questions onto an application form. :) You're right. Our form has an optional 'Name of any dog you may be interested in' field on the application, as well as an 'additional information' field at the bottom. I think about 1 in every 40 applications is someone who isn't fussed on which dog in particular - just wants us to help them match the right one to their circumstance. Most applications come from PetRescue. And thus, they've already found the dog they like the look of, read the write-up, and that is the one they apply for. Most are happy to hear about alternatives if that one dog isn't compatible but it's very rare someone comes to us and asks us to help match a dog to them... though, very much welcomed!

We generally don't adopt interstate, not because we have a rule against it, but because we do require everyone to meet the dog in person before anything proceeds and even then, we don't do same-day adoptions as we get all relevant checks done after the meet and greet, and there's not too many people who have the ability to do that. We also don't fly pups, so that might be something you want to look into, as other groups could be the same. There are Rescues that don't require you to meet the dog beforehand but it's something I'd always recommend, if possible for you, because then you can be absolutely sure you've made the right decision. Maybe you should track down a few dogs in the same sort of area that appeal to you and plan a little weekend away, giving you more options for adoption. That way you won't have had a wasted journey if the one dog you go to visit doesn't work out. (Not that any meet and greet is ever wasted but you know what I mean).

I've never seen a rescue or a pound with an age limit like that. The only age limit I've seen is for 18+ which, for legal reasons, is more to do with signing a contract etc. Renting shouldn't be a problem - a huge percentage of Australians rent - though most will require confirmation from your landlord/real estate. Unfortunately, yes. Though I would say most of these are just misguided and don't take into account both the dog's needs and the family's needs. Rather, they just want to see the dog in a home. This is where the horror stories stem from, lack of proper screening and matching. You should most definitely ask. While the better rescues and shelters will tell you all issues the dog may have, you have to remember that each home/family has different requirements, and if you don't ask the questions, you're not always going to get the answers you need. Matching a dog to a family is a two-way partnership between the Rescue and yourself. Both need to work together to ensure the best possible outcome. Look for a group that will offer an adequate adoption trial. Four weeks is a good amount, though as you know, some dogs can take longer to settle, while others adapt very quickly. You'll want a Rescue that will help you during that trial and even beyond, maybe one with behaviouralists/trainers already on board if you so need them. Bear in mind that, even when a dog has been in foster care for a long time, they can display different behaviours in any new environment. So while a Rescue will do their best to tell you about any issues they know of, there may be some that haven't presented in their current environment. On the flipside, some behaviours they display in their foster home, might not present in your home. Ultimately, the Rescue should be doing all they can to ensure the best possible match, and that both you and the dog are enabled to make it work. Ask as many questions as you can think of because that will better help the Rescue find that perfect dog for you.

And that's probably the only thing Mini Paws have going for them!

Of course. And, to be fair, I probably bag out my own British heritage better than anyone else could. :D