Feeling so despondent - rescue dogs - ageism striking?

Zonne

But surely they have been open about their reasons: knowing this dog as they do, they don’t think it’s suitable to be with children. Not sure what else you’d want them to say.

I agree with this.

It seems likely that either the dog already has a question mark against it regarding its reaction to children, or at least it is an unknown factor, and not worth the risk of homing where there will be contact with children, however occasionally.

You mentioned the requirement for experience with certain breeds and how are you to acquire it, HurdyGurdy. Most dogs in rescues have issues or have been traumatised by ill treatment or being abandoned and they are not the right material with which to obtain experience! I think you or someone else mentioned resource guarding. That can be a mild or a severe issue, not to be taken lightly by an inexperienced owner.. Dogs such as GSDs can be very protective of their owners, or just one of them, and that can cause real problems. They are beautiful and intelligent dogs but many rescue GSDs really aren’t suitable for inexperienced owners, unlike many breeds that I suspect your husband wouldn’t choose. I believe his attitude is your problem here, certainly not your ages. I hope you can get him to see beyond a dog’s looks. They’re not accessories.

For a highly desirable breed and a puppy to boot, there was probably a list of interested parties a mile long. I would just keep going until you find the right dog for you. It's waiting patiently somewhere.

In our case we weren’t specifying age or breed, just not a big dog.

Rescues in this country have clear expectations based on years of experience. Gardens must be fenced, no young children, especially for the bigger breeds, dogs not to be left alone for long periods etc. the guidelines are there to try to avoid dogs being returned.
Good breeders have similar expectations

As others have said, approach breed specific charities. Spaniel aid, German shepherd rescue, adult labs needing homes, the doodle trust and doodle rescue to name a few. I volunteer for one of these charities and I’ve approved people to adopt who are in their 70’s with visiting grandchildren. We always visit applicants, I don’t see how phone assessments would work.

Please adopt from this country. Locally, I’ve seen too many former street dogs running at the first opportunity. They’ve not lived in houses, find the adjustment stressful

Hurdy Gurdy have a look on Many Tears Rescue. They take in unwanted puppies and exbreeding dogs. I don’t know much about that rescue so please do your own research - it could be a possibility. Maybe worth contacting your local Dog Warden in the past we’ve been asked if we could foster xyz in emergency if placements can’t be found ie if owner dies etc. It is worth puting out feelers. Good luck.

Some dogs have had bad experiences with children that makes the dogs unable to thrive if they live with children. Some dogs require peaceful quiet homes.

Aren’t puppies and other dogs being sold by their owners via private adverts direct to public , thus cutting out the charities because it’s certainly very lucrative given the high prices asked for dogs.
Wonder if that’s why there seemed a shortage of dogs both local and National charities available for rehoming.

I wanted to rescue a dog but, because my grandchildren (10 and nearly 12) visit us regularly, I found it virtually impossible to do so. I realise that buying a puppy is not a great solution - given the number of dogs that need re-homing - but I had no option. It seems a bit short sighted of dog rescue organisations to be so prescriptive. Surely, as the OP said, a puppy of a breed that is known to be fairly good natured would be safe to re-home with children? I do think that there should be restrictions regarding very young children, say under 7 years old.

Let's face it, there are no proper checks on purchasers of dogs and any such checks depend entirely on the vendor.

Oldbat1

Hurdy Gurdy have a look on Many Tears Rescue. They take in unwanted puppies and exbreeding dogs. I don’t know much about that rescue so please do your own research - it could be a possibility. Maybe worth contacting your local Dog Warden in the past we’ve been asked if we could foster xyz in emergency if placements can’t be found ie if owner dies etc. It is worth puting out feelers. Good luck.

This was with Many Tears.

I've slept on it now, and "given my head a wobble", and realise that whatever their reason for rejecting our application, they will be valid to that rescue.

My old school friend (not seen her in 50 years! but in touch via email and Facebook) breeds labradors and she has a litter available. I will have a chat with her and may end up buying one of her puppies.

Still think it's a crying shame that so many dogs who need homes are being kept in rescues when there are good homes available.

Thank you all for your responses, and viewpoints. I appreciate them all

Daisymae

For a highly desirable breed and a puppy to boot, there was probably a list of interested parties a mile long. I would just keep going until you find the right dog for you. It's waiting patiently somewhere.

I agree - and probably lots of families with children will apply.

The reason I feel it was our ages that went against us, is because nowhere on the dog's "about me" page, did it say "cannot be homed to anywhere with resident or visiting children", which most rescues do say if it's applicable.

Ho hum. It's done now, and no good me holding a grudge, and whining "but, but, but".

HurdyGurdy- my 20 month old, well bred, well reared show type lab has been a handful. The trainer/breeder friend who recommended me to his breeder tells me I’m handling him well. That he’s a typical well bred young male lab who will begin to calm at 2 and be brilliant by 4.
My young grandchildren are 3 - 7 years. He can knock one over wagging his tail ??. I usually have females but went male because I fell for him and because I have another female dog
Best of luck

Hurdy Gurdy even vet friends have been refused adoption of a rescue dog they applied for so don’t take it personally. One of my foster dogs went to an 82yr old man so don’t think it is age related. By the my vet friends adopted a dog successfully who fitted in with their lifestyle. Good hunting.

Have you visited any rescue centres ? Maybe better if you did, can look around & see the dog (s) personally. Then you can look around, speak to the staff about the dog (s) you would like to adopt, my lovely late husband & myself adopted a dog when be was about 18 months old, such a loving dog , had dogs for years, but still checked us out as their first priority is for the dog ... my daughter & hubby visited with their dog , so had to take him to see if both dogs got on , yes they did , so lovely ... also we had to prove we had a vet ... lots of things to consider , yes I know you know this. Also a puppy can be more of a handful ... I am sure you will find the right dog for you ...

Beautful - they don't let you visit centres to view the animals now. You have to complete online application forms, then if they think you would be a match for the dog, there's a phone call and a home visit, and THEN you get to meet the animal.

It's all a bit of a faff, especially if you don't live close to the rehoming centre, and they want to you have a few "get to know you" sessions before the animal comes home with you.

Yes we were not able to visit centres. They also want you to live within a certain distance from a particular centre, which really restricts where you can look.

I was recently told quite rudely that at 70 with a husband four years younger we are too old to have kittens or a young cat at our local cat-and-dog home. They would graciously allow us an 11 year old cat that look to be dying on his feet.

So I suspect you may be right in thinking it is your age rather than that of your grand-children, or the fact of them, that is a factor here.

I simply asked around and we now have two kittens. I realise that it is always easier to find someone with a litter of ordinary kittens in the countryside in summer than finding a puppy - but misalliances do still occur in the doggy world too.

By all means try another rescue centre, but check Facebook too and any and all local noticeboards, digital or old-fashioned ones.

I hope you find a suitable pup soon.

Well, cats often live to be 20 or more. Longer than most dogs.

Hellogirl1

I was turned down by a cat rescue centre because I didn`t have a garden for the cat to play in. Stupid!

I've never known a cat which stays in it's own garden!

Most homes have a policy that Rescue dogs will not go into homes with children.

As they are unable to have any info on the Puppy’s background they can’t take the risk that it could have problems with children as it gets older.

All rescues have policies regarding homing dogs where there are children, even visiting ones. Rightly so.

Many reputable dog breeders will always take back any dog they’ve sold on and, I assume they will pass them onto someone they feel will be a good owner. They might not rule people out if they’re older. I see lots of older people with retired greyhounds because they’re so suitable for older people. If, heaven forbid, anything happened to my dog I’d get a greyhound.

I really don’t believe age is the problem here, as I have said before. At 71 and 75 my husband and I weren’t considered too old. Same four years earlier when we adopted our previous GSD from a different rescue. However in each case we were looking for a dog aged 5 and over, not a puppy, though of course GSDs of all ages are large and powerful.

I agree, Age is not a problem to adopting a dog, as long as you are reasonably fit of course. I have just adopted a lovely mixed breed 10 year old dog who originally came from Romania and I am 71 in a months time. I have always adopted dogs from the RSPCA, unbelievably now, their only check years ago was your postcode ! I no longer meet their requirements ,as I live in retirement property without a private or 6ft fence. I am home however most of the time and my dog has 3 good walks a day as well as toilet opportunities. He is very calm and relaxed in the peaceful environment we live in , even though he is a nervous dog. He was not the dog I originally applied for, but I must say it was very good matching by the dog rescue Perrera Dogs. This charity always fosters dogs brought from abroad first so that the dog can be assessed and a good match made. They also offer lifetime support and if I should meet an early demise, they will take him back into their care. But I think we are going to grow old together for some time yet. I have 6 year old twin grandchildren visiting, but keep the dog separate from them and will do for the foreseeable future. Perrera told me that they consider every application individually. Of course most breeders will sell a puppy to nearly anyone, but of all the dogs I have rescued (9) I can honestly say I have never had a ‘ bad ‘ dog and as crazy as it may sound you can feel their gratitude, especially the cruelty cases.

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