When Adopting A Rescue Dog...

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

@Danny's Darling

I didn't say guaranteed more reputable (or responsible) - I said more likely than one that is not listed...

So if you have a 1000 recues listed with pet rescue - maybe I'm guessing 3% would be dodgy? And the others would be good?

But if you have 1000 rescues not listed with pet rescue - maybe 50% would be dodgy (because they can't get listed because their practices don't meet the pet rescue minimum standard). And the other 50% don't want to be listed but might be ok?

I'm making the numbers up, but that's to give you an idea of how I look at it. I feel something similar about ANKC registered breeders vs what you can get from internet classifieds and pet shops. Ie not all ANKC breeders are following best practice, but there's a higher percentage who are than breeders that are not ANKC registerd. Given that ANKC does not seem to enforce (I could be wrong) - and pet rescue does - I think your chances of dealing with someone reputable are higher on petrescue than with people who are not on pet rescue.

Of course - given the source of most of the critters on Pet Rescue - you don't usually get good things like meeting the parent dogs or finding out about DNA compatibility that you should with ANKC registered dogs/puppies. But you should get microchipped, vax, wormed etc with both and in addtion - desexed with pet rescue dogs/puppies.

Edited October 7, 2012 by Mrs Rusty Bucket

[juice]

There are alot of dodgy rescue's on Petrescue.

Perhaps if you see a dog you like, ask here first?

Basically you want them to be really picky, if someone just says you can have the dog without asking you lots of questions run a mile!

Be prepared to answer lots, and possibly get a homecheck from a good one, they also offer return if it doesn't work out.

I persoanlly prefer older dogs, they are easier i think! :laugh:

[megan_]

Rather than trying to find the right dog (all you have to go on are pictures and a brief description) I'd focus on trying to find a rescue that you're comfortable with, forming a relationship with them and then waiting for them to get the right dog for you.

This is what a lot of rescuers recommend, and yet for all their applications you have to apply for a specific dog...

[Aphra]

This is a really good point, and I"m going back to rework our questionnaires as soon as I get time. We do tell people that if they're interested in a type of dog rather than a particular dog, to fill out the questionnaire telling us about what kind of dog they are looking for, but I don't think it's all that clear you can do that.

I've been rewriting our questionnaires anyway, to try and make them a bit friendlier. I did a poke around the internet at what other group's questionnaires and foster care applications looked like. I was a bit taken aback when, having read lots of them all at once (and I include ours in this), that the general tone was unfriendly. It was more, "prove to us that you're worthy", rather than, "let us know about your general dog or cat-owning fabulousness". Thinking about it, it kind of sucked all the fun out of looking for a new pet.

I don't reckon we've got it right, but I'm trying to be much more conscious now of the tone of our material.

Thanks for the tip megan, it's an excellent thought.

This is what a lot of rescuers recommend, and yet for all their applications you have to apply for a specific dog...

[Loving my Oldies]

This is what a lot of rescuers recommend, and yet for all their applications you have to apply for a specific dog...

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. :)

[Ruin Maniac]

Although I think there are some rescues that do intimidate me a little, most of them I feel the questions are extremely legitimate. The best rescues, from what everyone's said, are the ones that ask all the questions but also encourage the potential adopter to ask questions too.

Some of the home rescues I've looked at worry me a little, but that may be me being overly cautious. Most seem like they're really good, and I'm willing to travel to NSW, the ACT and Tasmania for the right dog and would otherwise consider flying one with a company or with a friend if the rescue feels the dog is up to it. It's all down to finding the right one. I've made one enquiry to a rescue in NSW, but ideally they want the pup in question to go to a home with another dog (since he thrives on socialisation, and was denied that in his previous home - apparently they kept him in the backyard his whole life since being bought and he barely saw a living soul, the poor baby )

Basically the kind of dog I'm looking for is a small to medium size, though preferably medium, and should be energetic (as I love exercising outdoors for between 1.5-3 hours a day). The dog should be comfortable travelling, as I'd love to bring one with me on family visits and fieldwork and should be able to tolerate hot and cold climates (understanding that I will do the necessary grooming and purchase a snow jumper too). My house is air-conditioned with a large secure yard, and I generally spend a lot of time in the house (I don't work during the day, but I study full time and thankfully my hours are spread out so I'm never on campus for longer than 3 hours or so at a time, my longest day now being friday 9-11 AM and 2-5 PM and I live a short walk away - always sign up for my tutorials nice and early :D ). I have the summer free from November through to the end of February to help a dog adjust to the house, myself and my housemates.

I'd prefer a non-shedding coat but am willing to brush a coat daily to reduce shedding. I am okay with puppies and mature dogs, but I'm not thoroughly experienced and am not comfortable taking on a dog with serious behavioural issues because I'm not sure my abilities will meet their needs. Therefore, I will not be giving them the chance they deserve. I refuse to adopt a dog and then return it because I made a bad decision. It's not the dog's fault. Smaller issues like lack of training, timidness/shyness and behavioural issues that aren't extreme (digging, chewing, doing things they haven't been taught not to) are things I'd be okay to work through with some guidance (I'll be enrolling in a training class and will try to find a local community for support). I have breeds I'm investigating actively, but I'm not only seeking purebreds. Any dog that will benefit from my lifestyle is okay by me.

Should I be sending something like that info above to rescue groups, by the way?

Edited October 8, 2012 by Ruin Maniac

[chuckandsteve]

I think the main thing to keep in mind is that a lot of groups may knock you back but it doesn't mean they all will.

I got knocked back when we first tried to adopt our dogs several times. They gave us reasons, we addressed those reasons and still got a no. This was a few different groups.

The more your willing to work with your dog the less important who you adopt the dog from is.

The reality for us and I am sure I'll get critised for this, is that we were going to accept anything the dog did so long as he wasn't really aggressive or really sick. So we just went the pound route.

I take fosters now and basically every single one I have adopted out has gone to a family that has been unable to adopt from a big group for a variety of reasons none I would call deal breakers though.

for example

Wanted a Staffy but had children under 12

Had never ever owned a dog before

Lived in a retirement village

Too young (Was 22)

SO be patient and just keep applying you will find your dog eventually

[Aphra]

This kind of information is really useful. I'd encourage you to send it to a rescue organisation. It's not just that the more information the better, but it's a way of them getting to know you .. it's all about relationship building.

A dog like Phoebe would probably tick most of your boxes ... she's not a particular breed, but has many of the characteristics you're looking for.

http://www.petrescue.com.au/admin/groups/10024/listings/170359

I'd prefer a non-shedding coat but am willing to brush a coat daily to reduce shedding. I am okay with puppies and mature dogs, but I'm not thoroughly experienced and am not comfortable taking on a dog with serious behavioural issues because I'm not sure my abilities will meet their needs. Therefore, I will not be giving them the chance they deserve. I refuse to adopt a dog and then return it because I made a bad decision. It's not the dog's fault. Smaller issues like lack of training, timidness/shyness and behavioural issues that aren't extreme (digging, chewing, doing things they haven't been taught not to) are things I'd be okay to work through with some guidance (I'll be enrolling in a training class and will try to find a local community for support). I have breeds I'm investigating actively, but I'm not only seeking purebreds. Any dog that will benefit from my lifestyle is okay by me.

Should I be sending something like that info above to rescue groups, by the way?

[Purdie]

First step is to get a letter from your landlord / agent saying you are able to have a dog .Some ,not all, shelters and rescue groups are reluctant to adopt to renters.

As it's your first dog I would start with your closest areas first so you can visit the dog more than once before you decide.Put together a list of what you want in a dog.

Contact rescue groups and visit shelters to see if they have a suitable dog or ask them to contact you if one comes up .Check rescue / shelter sites and pet rescue daily as new dogs come up all the time .Also consider an older pup or dog from a breeder.

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/puppies/schnauzer.asp

Edited October 8, 2012 by Purdie

[Plan B]

This is what a lot of rescuers recommend, and yet for all their applications you have to apply for a specific dog...

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!

Edited October 8, 2012 by Plan B

[Loving my Oldies]

Probably some of the dogs you have rescued/fostered over time, Plan B, would be the sort of companion the OP is looking for.