my thoughts on buying a cat or dog

From one who has five very small rescue dogs, I would say that the company of a pet is a wonderful thing. Advice here is good so at risk of repeating I simply say learn all you can.

If you go ahead then prepare ahead. Have a pet proof garden and house. Decide where the pet will sleep. Remember, a puppy is a pack animal and has been sleeping and playing with his family so far. To suddenly be in a different pace all on his own will be traumatic.

By the way, since people have said rude things about the number of dogs I have, I can honestly say that these five, (remember they are very small) are easier to look after than one big dog. I know, I have done that. They amuse each other, get exercise together and are a sheer delight. It wasn't planned but when they arrived they each needed a special kind of help. For example, 2 hourly feeding round the clock, a dog family to live with or an older woman at home all the time. My only worry is coping with their deaths when that happens. I love them so much.

The loving company a pet gives is beyond measure.

Poppet and Smog. Rescue cats that came as a pair even though not related. They have been tremendously helpful in keeping my spirits during past few months ,as always. I grew up with cats and mainly dogs but only realised the hard work and responsibility involved as an adult. Ideally people would rehome rescue dogs and cats. Sadly people want a cute puppy ,or it's a fashion statement. Organisations that rehome rescue dogs make sure they are going to a responsible home. I have a feeling a fair proportion of potential owners wouldn't pass !

pace = place apologies

Simple answer.....DON'T.
If you loved animals that much and were prepared to look after them you'd have one already or wouldnt need to ask the question.

Hi I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for me. I would love to get a rescue dog but have been turned down numerous times as I live in a row of Almshouses beside a main road. We have a large garden but no gate to carpark. However for the past 10 years I've been more or less sharing daughters dog while she works an more recently I'm a bit of a quiet haven away from noisy grandchildren. I have a safety gate on back door and a stake in the garden so he can safely be outside with me. I live alone and he keeps me healthy with walks, park opposite and lots of fussing and snuggling at night. I don't like to think about it but realistically he's only got a few more years left. I could give a dog lots of love and attention but no rescue will entertain letting me adopt a dog. My neighbour has a dog with same set up as me but bought from a breeder.

Dorsetcupcake61 we rehomed two black cats a while ago, and the cat at the front of your photo could be ours! Evidently people don't want black cats as they don't look good in selfies. There are clearly morons out there who want a fashion statement and not a loving companion.
They are a commitment - and a dog even more so. To take on an animal and then leave it shut up all day without company - which is what happened to ours - is unfair and selfish. Only take on a pet if it can have a decent life.

We have both been working from home since lockdown and discussions with both employers are indicating that this will be a long term practice, with employees just spending the occasional day or two in the office.

As we can now be sure that there will be someone at home all the time, and we'll be able to do morning, lunchtime, and evening walks, we are definitely going to adopt another dog from a rescue centre. The frustration is, of course, that most are not open.

I get so saddened when I read of people buying dogs when there are so many desperate dogs in need of homes in rescue centres.

we have had many dogs and cats, we were never without either one or both, but we lived on a farm and they had room to move. Now that we live in town we have none because I hate having to fence them in or keep them in the house.
But, if I ever did consider getting one again it defiantly would be a rescue animal.

I have 2 Boxer girls and 2 rescue cats. Because I had a friend who worked with the Cats Protection organisation I once had 8!! All so different and all totally loved. Over the years 5 went over the 'rainbow bridge' and today I have had to say goodbye to number 6 as he had liver cancer. If anyone can rescue a dog or a cat it will enrich their lives.
Luckily I live where 8 cats and 2 dogs have plenty of room to play etc.

I have had cats and dogs all my life - never ever bought one, and never ever had a puppy- all rescues, no pure breeds, all without any health issues and all lived to very long lives.

This is our last girl and our second rescue, we always say that she was so perfect that we can't replace her. She was about eleven and a half when she was put to sleep, a very good age for a Dane.

Several years ago after losing my two15 year old Boys (adopted) much loved & still missed, I adopted two Girls from Cats Protection. Lovely black Mum, Willow, & 2year old ‘kitten’ Poppy. They had a very bad start I wont bore you all with. Willow was a brilliant Mum to Poppy. Sadly last October my lovely Willow went to the Rainbow Bridge after losing a fight against cancer. Poppy & I got each other through losing Willow & she has been my rock through Lockdown. She proves what a lot of us say, if you really want a cat, dog or other animal please adopt do not buy. Best thing I could have done is adopt all my animals over my life. They deserve a happy Forever Home!!

I replaced my lovely Staffie cross a few months after he died of cancer at the age of 8. He came from a rescue centre and I had him for 5 years. Missed him so much, I began looking online for a desperate dog that needed a good home. One was being advertised for 25.00.He was 4 months old and had been in 4 different homes already. I felt there was a very good chance at that price he could have been bought for dog fighting or end up with someone who couldn't afford to feed him etc. Although he was miles away, I went and got him. He is nearly 6 now. Another Staffie cross. Wonderful companion. Unfortunately, we never know what is round the corner. I was 68 when I got him and at 71 I had quite a severe stroke. I have now got two dog walkers that have been walking him for 5 years bless them, so I was able to keep him. He get's lots of exercise and loves his life.

Having any animal in your home has to be well thought out. It's a great responsibility, particularly as the animal didn't ask to come to you. It's also very expensive owning a pet - vets bills in particular can run into thousands of pounds.

I would love to have a dog but know I couldn't afford to have one, but I do look after friends' dogs when they go away on holiday.

I'm a great fan of Paul O'Grady and watch his Battersea program regularly. New series on at the moment following up on dogs that were re-homed in the previous series.

It's apparent from this that every breed will turn up at Battersea at some point. This week's programme had a beautiful Saluki. Most breed organisations have rescue dogs. I've had a Westie from Westie Rescue and a Cairn that came from Battersea - Eton via the breed rescue.

There are a lot of elderly dogs around, for those who are worried about walkies. This week on POG there was an elderly cross breed who had one front leg amputated. He was then chosen by a couple who absolutely dote on him.

If you can't afford a dog, the rescue centres usually have volunteer walkers.

Finally, if anyone is thinking of getting a new dog, the rescue centres will be full of young ones in a few weeks/months once people go back to work.

If you lived where l do, and saw the vast amount of vans, some big, some small, run by "professional dog walkers" you would be amazed. This was all before the virus, so why are people buying a dog, and then paying someone to walk it?
It utterly bemuses me, as there are dozens, every day, same vans, rafts of dogs within. I am not exaggerating, as walking anywhere near here is not a pleasant experience (noise/filth etc), and not a place for a quiet stroll.
Understandably, someone may become ill/disabled and need the service, but this is week in week out......
So think very carefully about getting a dog, rescue mutt, or otherwise, if you can't look after the thing.

I love Danes Grannysyb I have had two a Harlequin and a Black. Your girl was a good age.

I can't believe that with all the publicity about puppy farms etc that people are still silly enough to buy a dog in pub car park. Suppose I shouldn't be surprised really.

I've been on the list at a few animal rescue centres for years now. I lost my dog six years ago and would like to rescue another. I have a pet friendly garden and my DH is retired now and I work from home. I'm not fussy, any small/medium breed would be welcome. When I signed on I was pronounced ideal and I have contacted the centres every week but no luck. We're experienced dog owners and it seems a shame.... Quite a few of my neighbours got 'lockdown puppies' but I feel strongly there are too many homeless dogs already. Any ideas?

Why would anyone choose a breed of dogs known to die young and/or to have specific health problems due to breeding? Don't get it. Never had a dog or cat that died younger than 15, and most were years older than that. All Heinz 57s and very bright.

Dorsetcupcake, your cats are lovely, I've just spent a nice morning in the garden with a neighbour's very young, new black cat who likes to visit me it seems. I'd have another cat in a heartbeat, only my wretched family all appear to be allergic to them A friend told me rescued black cats are harder to home, I don't know why I think they are beautiful.

I've also seen some lovely dogs on walks, and as much as I like dogs too, they are more of a commitment than a cat.

The prices of pedigree pups at the moment is outrageous, for example Border Terriers selling between £2,000 & £3,000 which just encourages people to breed. Like the mongrels as we used to call them, or designer crossbreeds now, going for £1,000. Our two are both rescues, Molly the whippet is 11 and Dotty the Border is 4 years old. She was used for breeding in a kennel and when the owner was ill he decided to re-home her, I got her for free through a friend and she's the most loveable girl I know. Obviously teething troubles with wee and poo in the house for a week or two but she soon got the hang of it.

Please please consider a rescue centre if you are looking for a pet. Not only will you be doing an animal a huge service but it will be healthy & have had all it's injections etc.
All our precious pets have been rescue animals & we have never had anything other than wonderful companions. They have so much love to give you.

Sorry to hear of your loss of Bridie Polnan. I lost my old girl, a Standard Poodle, 6-years-ago. I can’t believe it is so long. The house was too empty to remain without a dog, so not too long after losing her we got a Toy Poodle puppy. We’re both retired (though young enough to be likely to outlive the dog) and both have arthritis, so were concerned that we might not be able to meet the needs of another large, active dog (we had always had large dogs) throughout it’s life. 3-years after getting him, we bought his half-brother.

Please allow yourself to get another dog. Toy breeds can get enough exercise in a garden (ours run around more in our little more than average size garden, than they do when let off their leads on a walk). Our dog’s breeder (she has had her last litter) is an elderly lady who is way past ‘dog walking’ stage of life. She has three Toy Poodles, one elderly, one aged 9 and a youngster (her brother will have them if anything happens to her). We visit with ours. Her’s are very happy, healthy dogs. If you want to go even smaller, there is always the lovely, clever chihuahua. If you are worried that a dog might outlive you (and lets face it, that can happen at any age), you could discuss with a relative and make an agreement with them if possible, put a charity of choice to take your dog (please not the RSPCA, they are awful) in your Will (or in a letter kept with your Will). If a relative cannot commit to have your dog, a breed society rescue tend to be the most reliable in selecting an appropriate home that can meet your dogs needs. For us, that is Poodle Network UK. Alternatively, you could find an elderly dog, or a older Toy dog from a rescue.

Also to those who say people shouldn’t buy pedigree puppies when there are dogs in Rescues. I understand your view, but different breeds come with different characteristics. I also have two Siamese cats. The same applies to cats. Siamese are very different to the average (lovely) moggy. They are highly intelligent, hilariously funny in what they get up to and like the cat version of a dog. So buying a Siamese kitten gives something completely different to a moggy and indeed, to other breeds of pedigree cats. It’s not that easy to find a rescue dog who is totally at ease with cats, or for that matter chickens, which we also have! I have had a rescue dog, but please bear in mind that there are sensible reasons for buying a particular breed of dog as a puppy, to be raised and socialised as you need it to be.

Please adopt, don't shop!

I can hardly remember a time when I didn't have a pet of some sort. Now that I'm alone, they make a huge difference to my life, even when I have to go trailing across to the other side of town to buy the supplies they need (no car).
My only consideration now is whether I might suddenly die and they are left homeless.