Feeling so despondent - rescue dogs - ageism striking?

Can I please make it clear - the rescue were not made aware of my husband's likes or dislikes. I completed an online application form, and made no mention of it. The only preference that I put on the application form was that we didn't want a small dog, but preferred medium to large sized.

Apart from an email in response to the application stating that the dog couldn't be adopted by a home that had children in it (even though they would only be visiting once a week), there was no further involvement.

So no. It definitely wasn't my husband's attitude that was the cause of us being rejected.

Hithere

I also think the rescue may have been your husband's attitude as turnoff.

So sorry, but this for sure. As a rescuer, someone so pernickity about looks would worry me about reasons and priorities.

Yes SueBdoo - 1 million times and more.

It's only right for rescue centres to take the time and trouble to match owners to dogs.
A failed adoption could end up with a dog being euthanised.

It’s so disappointing when people only care about what a dog looks like. That’s not the way to approach adoption. GSDs and Malamutes look good but they are not for the inexperienced owner and those in rescues are likely to have issues to a greater or lesser extent, therefore even more in need of experience. Let’s face it, we weren’t able to choose what our children looked like were we? And did it matter in the slightest?

I would keep looking. There an awful lot of dogs and puppies being handed in after lock down and of course cats and kittens too. Last week Celia Hammond said she'd taken in over 100 kittens.

HurdyGurdy

Germanshepherdsmum

How many rescue centres have you tried? Why not consider an older dog - they are very rewarding and so many in rescue centres. Everyone wants a puppy and overlooks the older dogs.

We have tried the "big ones" - RPSCA, Blue Cross and Dog's Trust, as well as a couple of places that rescue from Europe - Romania and Hungary - and also two very small local places.

We'd be quite happy to have an old-er dog - maybe up to five years old, but we don't make the grade on those either.

My husband is very fussy. Unfortunately he's all about the looks - his ideal would be GSD or Malamute, nothing with a "squashed in nose", no slobber, nothing small, nothing yappy. It's hard to get something that meets his criteria. Sad really, because I know he'd be all soppy with whatever dog came to live with us, once he'd got used to it!

I'm more about the personality of the dog, and apart from agreeing with no small dogs (my criteria is "nothing below my knee") I'm very open.

I don't even really want a puppy, but this one just really took my attention.

To be fair on the rescues, how can they be blamed for your OH being so fussy and it all being about looks? TBH I would worry about re-homing a dog with someone who is 'all about looks'.

We are currently looking for a rescue, and it will have nothing to do with looks, but personality and being OK with cats.

Precisely Callistemon, that`s why I thought the turning down was stupid. I did go on to adopt my beautiful Billy from the Cats Protection League.

SueBdoo ??. My rescues have all arrived with ‘issues’. They seemed to begin to realise they were safe, they’d be fed, walked, given boundaries and affection and simply relaxed.
My pedigree puppies - much more demanding ?

???

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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

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".

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