We all see adverts from an assortment of rescue centres looking for loving homes for poor animals who have lost theirs, but it's maybe not that obvious that these centres are quite particular about the new home they send their dogs out to!

Many of the dogs they have available for rehoming have had some unfortunate experiences, or at the very least a lack of training which has left them difficult to live with, so rescues tend to make an effort to choose an owner and home best able to cope with those circumstances - so be prepared to answer alot of questions!!

Some rescues have a hard and fast set of rules - ranging from the very obvious requirement for a fully enclosed garden to a stipulation that dogs with unknown backgrounds are not rehomed with families with children under 12, and/or that new owners will be at home for the greater part of the day. All of those rules are in place for the benefit of both dog and owner. Unfortunately some people fall in love with a cute dog but just aren't prepared for the issues they are taking on, which only results in a dog having to go through the whole rehoming process again - if rescues don't make an effort to limit the potential problems. Please don't take it personally if you are refused a dog under these circumstances.

Other rescues are able to employ a more flexible system for matching dogs with new homes. This is a more time and effort intensive method of rehoming, which is more easily done if a dog has already been fostered and has had the chance to be assessed with respect to children, cats, other dogs, strangers etc. Although they are able to be flexible in matching the right dog to the right home, it is still usual to receive a 'homecheck' - to ensure a new dog owner has made an effort to 'dogproof' their home, and has given some thought to how dog ownership will change life for the whole family. By no means are these rescues a 'soft option'!

If you've recently been through a rehoming check or interview, please share with us the questions you were asked, or if you're a rescuer, tell us what you're looking for when rehoming your dogs

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i'm a volunteer for a rescue and these are some of the questions we ask
Name:
Address:

Telephone Number:
Mobile Phone Number:
Email Address:
Time at Present Address:
Home Ownership:
Written permission from the letting agency allowing you to keep pets will be required, if rented
Number of Family Members:
Ages of all family members living at or regularly visiting the home if under sixteen years of age:
Are family or visiting children used to living with dogs:
Occupation:
Hours worked away from home per day:
House Type:
Residential Area:
Is garden fully enclosed:
Is garden completely secure:
Fence height at it's lowest point:
Family experience of pet ownership and responsibility
Other family pets that share your home:
Other dogs that share your home:
Dogs that you have previously owned:
Have you previously adopted a rescue dog:
What happened to the dogs that you have previously owned:
Are all current family dogs neutered/spayed:
Are current family pets used to mixing with other dogs:
can we contact you vet for a ref
vet name and address;
Dogs details - your preferences
Preferred gender:
Age of dog(s) considered for adoption:
Size of dog(s) considered for adoption:
What food to you intend to feed your dog(s):
Are you prepared to have your dog(s) spayed or neutered:
Are you prepared to have your dog(s) vaccinated:
Are you prepared to insure your dog(s):
Are your prepared to seek medical attention for your dog(s) from a registered vet if needed and ensure flea and worm treatments are administered at regular intervals:
Are you aware of the financial obligations of responsible pet ownership:
Do any of your family members suffer from allergies:
Would you be attending training classes with your dog(s):
Apart from being a family pet, are you considering a dog for:

Where would you dog sleep:
How would you cope with:
Toilet training:
Separation anxiety:
Destructive behavior:
Basic obedience training (sit, stay, etc):
Fearfulness
Aggression:
Under what circumstances would you consider returning the dog(s) :
these are just some of the questions askes on the pre adopion form. more in depth questions would be asked later

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That's quite a daunting list blueribbonuk!!

Is that a 'black and white' list, or would I be deemed a suitable owner if for instance I were to inform you we have a savings account for our vet fees rather than insuring?

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of course you would be deemed suitable. the insurance question is there as we give 4 weeks free insurance. the rescue would like to know as much as possible so the right dog goes to the right home. for instance. i fostered an english mastiff. now with that size dog only people who have large dog experience would be considered. i have had people with jack russels ring me about the mastiff. all very nice people and would be suitable for a dog just not the mastiff. at the moment the rescue has an ex breeding bitch which is absolutely terrified of everything. a quiet home is suitable for her so wouldnt home her to say a houseold that is busy busy . when you are homing dogs you have to get it right. so if popl see a dog that they like on the website they fill in a preadoption form. that gives the rescue some idea of the family. the dog that they like might not be suitable for them for a number of reasons. they do tell them if that dog isnt suitable the other dogs that are. then its their choice if they want that other dog. if not we do keep them on record and if a suitable dog comes in then we contact them.

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I personally feel sometimes rescue centre have unrealistic expectations.
For example i know of some rescue centres that will not rehome a dog to you if you work, i have always had a bit of a difficult time with this as people work to get money. money then pays for the bills and dog food etc.
If we went for another dog from these particular centres we would be refused because we work however although we do both work, i work flexible hours and Mark is a shift worker so our lot are not left for that long on their own.
Dont get me wrong i understand the theory behind it but i think not everything is not as black and white as it may first seem. This rigidness i think could cause a couple of problems 1. People lie on the form or 2. People go and get a dog from breeders or out of the papers.
I am not wanting to offend anyone i am just commenting on some of the problems i know that happen with some rescues i have come into contact with.

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Totally agree with the comments above, and when we rehome, we too take each potential home vs the dog in question - and work out if they can match.

I think sometimes rules are put in place in the first instance with the right intention - but a bit like politics - they then get picked up as tho they are rigid and can't be broken, and thats lost the plot.

I would rehome to you - oh fostering one.

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I was going to make the same comments on another thread Kay - in effect, the rescue centres are generating the demand for puppy farming, as the puppy farms don't ask questions, so become the first port of call!

if rescues made more effort to match individual dogs with individual families and all operated their own returns policy, perhaps there would be more attraction in obtaining a dog this way?

I also wonder if rescues could do more to attract walkers and fosterers. Whenever I get into conversation over a foster we have, nobody seems to be aware of dog fostering, or that they can walk dogs at their local rescue - one way to introduce the kids who are pestering for a dog to the reality of dog training and other issues

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We would be deemed unsuitable because our large garden is not 'enclosed' in that we have electric gates, and so the driveway is in the garden. One rescue made it clear you have to have 6 foot fence, even though I work from home, have loads of room, no kids, and have a great garden for them to play in with my supervision. It can be silly. Next year we are having garden changed so we have a fenced area separate from driveway, so more doggies....

blueribbonuk wrote:

i'm a volunteer for a rescue and these are some of the questions we ask Name: Address: Telephone Number: Mobile Phone Number: Email Address: Time at Present Address: Home Ownership: Written permission from the letting agency allowing you to keep pets will be required, if rented Number of Family Members: Ages of all family members living at or regularly visiting the home if under sixteen years of age: Are family or visiting children used to living with dogs: Occupation: Hours worked away from home per day: House Type: Residential Area: Is garden fully enclosed: Is garden completely secure: Fence height at it's lowest point: Family experience of pet ownership and responsibility Other family pets that share your home: Other dogs that share your home: Dogs that you have previously owned: Have you previously adopted a rescue dog: What happened to the dogs that you have previously owned: Are all current family dogs neutered/spayed: Are current family pets used to mixing with other dogs: can we contact you vet for a ref vet name and address; Dogs details - your preferences Preferred gender: Age of dog(s) considered for adoption: Size of dog(s) considered for adoption: What food to you intend to feed your dog(s): Are you prepared to have your dog(s) spayed or neutered: Are you prepared to have your dog(s) vaccinated: Are you prepared to insure your dog(s): Are your prepared to seek medical attention for your dog(s) from a registered vet if needed and ensure flea and worm treatments are administered at regular intervals: Are you aware of the financial obligations of responsible pet ownership: Do any of your family members suffer from allergies: Would you be attending training classes with your dog(s): Apart from being a family pet, are you considering a dog for: Where would you dog sleep: How would you cope with: Toilet training: Separation anxiety: Destructive behavior: Basic obedience training (sit, stay, etc): Fearfulness Aggression: Under what circumstances would you consider returning the dog(s) : these are just some of the questions askes on the pre adopion form. more in depth questions would be asked later

I was asked this by a rescue we considered getting from. Over the phone I kept getting stuck like I was in an exam.

I see the point and the intent, but I found it very abrupt and could see how it would put a lot of less literate/able to communiate themselevs people off.

Some of the best dog owners I know, who have taken in many waifs and strays, wouldn't even know what the term 'seperation anxiety' meant. Also some people feel embarassed if they cannot afford the 'best' food, and would feel inferior.

I realise it's hard but I think meeting people and matching them up is possible without all these questions.

We have always done it on a much less strict approach and anyone that knows me - will know that i usually forget the questions anyway.
but what i don't forget it the ferretting down to get to know whats behind the stories that i am being told.

By talking to people and truly understanding their situation - i usually find the right dog for them, or maybe even steer clear them from rehoming another dog.

Going on from the 6' fence story. We went on a course with a guy called John Rogerson the other week. Extremely knowledgeable guy and understands a lot about rescue. He said he would steer clear of rehoming to people who make on about their secure garden as it would be them who have the ability to never take their dog for a walk. Much better someone who has to take it out for a walk and spend quality time with it.

Fencing isn't that important - well not the be all and end all anyway. It is when there are children around as its so easy for a dog to get out and roam - but with responsible adults - i think its a silly rule.

I judge every dog rehoming with every person individually.

However the down side to this is that each rehoming takes absolutely HOURS - i work on about 10 hours per dog all in all. Thats very absorbing when you have a lot of dogs in and when you have other things to do and you aren't a big rescue - so there are reasons why people use the questionairres - if you are really keen on a dog - you would have a go at it.

Anyway dog princess - yours just get sent to you don't they? I'm already looking for your next one aren't i.
jaq

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questionaires are just a guidline. you would be amazed at some of the answers. one person answering the question of seperation anxiety said she would give the dog a cuddle when they got back. some people dont want you to contact their vet for a vet ref. it gives a rescue a rough idea of the life style. after all rescues are homing living breathing animals and have to be 100% sure the right dog has gone to the right home. if not then the dog will be back in rescue and that is just not fair

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It's a tough minefield isn't it?

how is a cuddle supposed to cure separation anxiety? and how many people know how to determine the difference between a dog being upset at not being with it's owner, and a dog who's upset at being left whilst the people are out doing something more interesting? before they've figured that out they haven't a hope of knowing what to do to cure the problem!

It's essential to get the balance between the black and whiteness of form filling, and moving dogs into loving, caring homes so the rescue process can start all over again for a new dog. Just look at the stirling efforts made by Sugarpuff with Hunny! We couldn't have hoped to find a new owner prepared to give so much for a dog, putting in so much effort for training and rehabilitation, experimenting with suitable diet, ensuring plentiful exercise and stimulation... but as both partners in this couple work full time, there are rescue centres who would turn them down point blank! Regardless of the arrangement for a family member to be able to call in every few hours on the days when shiftwork means Hunny has to be left alone for long periods

Jade the rott went to a home with two young kids. She missed her kids like mad whilst she was here with me, crying twice a day when she saw the kids from the local primary school traipse past twice a day without coming to see her. She sat and washed the faces of her two new charges like the nanny she intended to be to them as soon as she climbed in their car

one comment I would make about refusing to give a vet reference is: if I'd been through a traumatic experience whilst my previous dog was expiring, and I had been unhappy with the vet through the process, I wouldn't be in a hurry to be using them as any sort of reference. I have recently changed vets having been unhappy with my dealings with our previous practice since 'our' vet retired, and had argued with them over a bill - I would imagine that this would not leave me with a terrific reference from them

Did that nice couple in S12 take the boxer from Grimsby btw Jaq?

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Firstly thank you Rain and thank you Jackie for info you do a great job. I picked up my GSD today will update later he's perfect fast asleep laid on my feet at the moment.

Regarding rehoming I have been looking for a few weeks now to rehome and yes I found various rescue centres rather daunting.
There are lots of loving homes out there but people can be put off due to hard and fast rules, and strict guidelines, hence the puppy option.
This is a real shame when I visited the pound today there were so many dogs in there desperate for a loving home.
If rules and regulations were explained in a friendlier manner and the many shades inbetween black and white were explored, it would most likely result in more happy endings.

Regarding vet references very unhappy with my old vet awful experience needed an emergency callout only to discover policies have changed an answerphone told us to contact vets now ltd and travel to Sheffield . I will be changing vets with my new dog.

Maybe you could start a thread on Vets Now Ltd

BRILLIANT

Which one did you get - the younger one?

I so pleased - give him time, he has been in there for a couple of months i think hasn't he?

See what a difference it makes - just by us knowing what is around and what people want - we have a chance. You just have to see past the noise.
The girls at sheffield council are really good. with what little time they have, they try to suss out the dogs that they have in there and see if we can find the right home.

NOW
what you say about VETS NOW LTD

I have just been talking to my friend VAL about this tonight.

I got a poorly boy out of sheffield in the week. i had the vet to check him over on friday, val got a foster home for him saturday.
as soon as he got in the home, went downhill. i think it was the warmth that brought out his kennel cough.
so sunday morning, foster family phone to say he isn't well. we told them to bring him over, and we would get him to the vets.

£120 later - he is fine - just keep on the anti-biotics.

At the same time, one of Vals' rotties went down hill fast. had sick in the kennel overnight. val whisked him straight off to the same vets - they SAID SHE MUST GIVE OVER £400 immediately for them to take him in, and estimated £650 for the bill of keeping him in overnight, having him on a drip and obvservation -

now, ok in rescue we fund raise for things like this, it still cripples us, cos it means something else won't get the money.
but how on earth would anyone just find 650 quid - and a life or death decision - pay 400 quid now, or have your dog put to sleep

Val and i were talking tonight

we think this should be something that we as a group should bring up with WATCHDOG.
we are going to look for a volunteer who wants to run with it.

I think its outrageous. Vets are paid more money now than they ever have been. we get charged 30quid for a consultation at one of the vets.
And yet - they just want normal working hours - and pass you over to Vets now - at a minimum of £90
i think its daylight robbery and they are holding the country to randsome.

so
any of our volunteers want to pick up on this one?

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Well the whole Vets Now thing is a major factor in us moving our vets - having had a morphine shot administered when I'd pointed out my dog's main source of discomfort was the bladder that hadn't been emptied in over 12 hours

So having ignored the problem, so she didn't have to refuse verbally to empty his bladder, we were charged through the nose for the consultation

this was only 8pm. Our new vets would still be open at this time. our new vets are open on sundays too. our new vets know our dog well enough to have an inkling as to the problem if we have to ring after hours, and they are capable of deciding NOT to have you come in to surgery if they think the problem will keep overnight!

Our new vets is Peak at Woodseats

I'm shocked at just how many vets have gone over to the diabolical 'service' at Vets Now

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