Rehome/buying a dog via Facebook

A dog is a lifetime commitment. For your current situation I think you’ve made the right decision. I’ve said before we foster for a local charity. The dogs stay anytime from a couple of weeks up to six months before moving to new families. However we do keep the dogs who are harder work and the dumped oldies - I have a very nervous lad who has been here for 4yrs and who is still work in progress. We’ve kept him for that reason. Last week the charity rehomed a delightful older dog whose owner had Alzheimer’s and went into care. This happens frequently - dog wardens often find new homes. One of mine came via a phone call from my vets asking if I could foster. Give it more thought. Lots of rescues stop rehoming the nearer to Christmas for obvious reasons.

After much consideration, and two more visits, we decided not to go ahead. She is a lovely little dog, and although I am convinced it is a genuine reason for rehoming, we felt that she is too lively for our grandson, who is visiting at the end of this month.

He is 11, and autistic/globally developmentally delayed, and we just felt, on reflection, that he'd not cope with her boisterousness. The only way around it, we felt, would have been to put her in kennels for the week that he is visiting, which would be an awful thing to do to her.

Our grandson comes to stay for a week, four times a year, and although we can't put our lives on hold whilst waiting for those weeks, we just felt it would be too stressful a situation. They did have a dog of their own, but she was much smaller, and older, and quieter, and she was already in situ when he was born, so he has always known her. She died last year, and he never even reacted - never asked where she is or anything.

So for now, we remain doggy-less.

I'm sure there will be times that I will regret the decision (heart ruling) but know that it is right for everyone (head ruling).

HurdyGurdy, No, no - and no again. It might well be genuine - but if I had a fire and was in temporary accommodation - I'd be looking for foster care, not rehoming. We adopted a lovely Golden Retriever/Old English sheepdog cross, from a friend of a friend. She was 18 months and not spayed - so we had that done, along with vaccinations, checks etc. and she was a big fluffy ball of fun - until she suddenly died of an aneurism aged just five. Bad luck maybe, just 'one of those things' according to the vet. Still, I wondered, did they know something wasn't right? Was she inbred? How was she raised? It was so horribly upsetting.

Any news HurdyGurdy?

Well it all seems to be fine. Sounds a bit unsettling time for this dog. I’m sure it will be ok and she will be pleased to have some continuity. Do let us know after a few weeks how the settling in time goes. When we foster dogs I always say the first fortnight is the honeymoon period and after a month their true character starts to develop. Enjoy your new family friend.

Yes, this, 100%. If all is fine at vet's, the £500 would not deter me.

I would also ask to meet at a vet to have the dig checked over.

It has happened that people try ro seel stolen dogs and I think if they weren't genuine they would not agree to meet at a vet where the dig can be scanned and health checked

HurdyGurdy, were you allowed to read the microchip? To check if it was stolen or lost.

I would insist on a vet visit to do so before saying yes.

Sounds like that poor dog has been from pillar to post. I hope she finds a loving home with you. I don't think that you need 2 seasons before spaying. Talk to your vet, ours was done at 6 months and she's 13 now
Good luck

Thank you for updating us. It does sound like the pup would be better off in another home, so I hope everything works out. Keep us posted.

They are asking for £500 for a dog they need rehomed. Red flag! If they were desperate to get it a new home quickly they would of taken it to a rescue centre where there are plenty of dogs needing homes. This poor dog could of been stolen from someone and they are scamming you for money. Go to a rescue centre for a dog and report these hateful money making people.

Thanks for update. Fingers crossed- wonderful. Hope you will all be very happy. Do keep updating, please.

"Very friendly, and when their little boy was trying to pick her up (by the back legs!) or trying to ride her, she didn't react at all "

Oh wow, glad they are rehoming her.

This is how dogs defend themselves (aka "attack") - irresponsible owners

Well we've just been to visit the dog, and 99% certain we are going to take her.

The owners are a lovely young couple with one child. They were very open to all our questions and I feel they answered honestly. The puppy was bought a year ago by a relative who then found that with a disabled child, they didn't have time for the puppy, so the current owners took the dog on.

They were living with the woman's mother, but there was a house fire and they then had to move in with the man's family. His mother isn't keen on dogs, and so the dog has been with various relatives or other family members for short periods of time. The owners don't know how long it will be before they are housed, so don't feel it's fair to keep the dog any longer and to keep pushing and pulling her here, there and everywhere.

She is a lovely, lively Sprocker. Very friendly, and when their little boy was trying to pick her up (by the back legs!) or trying to ride her, she didn't react at all. She came to us no problems, and was sitting and offering a paw without being asked lol.

She has had one season so far, and from what I'm reading online, it's recommended they have two seasons before being spayed.

She has a slight injury to her tail, and the owner is taking her to the vet next week, so if we do go ahead, we will get everything that we need for her, and hopefully pick her up one evening next week.

Thank you all for your comments, thoughts and input. I was a bit skeptical at first, but having met the family and seen the dog in her own home, and how she behaves, I am content that this is a genuine reason for rehoming.

www.rspca.org.uk/-/blog-social-media-a-blessing-and-a-curse

Blondiescot . What bad people there are!

Fleurpepper

Yes, this is the advice given by official groups. Do not give away any pet, as they could end up being mis-used terribly. I remember a recent story where a really nice (!) woman, well spoken, well dressed, nice car- and full of sweet words, was taking on pets to be used to train dog fighters, badger baiters and a Hunt.

Indeed, I remember seeing an interview with a man who was involved in dog fighting and he said he got most of his dogs through such ads, but got his wife to dress up well and act the part to go and view the pets. These people will stoop to any lows.

Maybe the present owners want to see where their pet will be living in any future home, hence why they want to bring her to you. There's such a lot to think about here, but it could very well be a genuine situation.

Yes, this is the advice given by official groups. Do not give away any pet, as they could end up being mis-used terribly. I remember a recent story where a really nice (!) woman, well spoken, well dressed, nice car- and full of sweet words, was taking on pets to be used to train dog fighters, badger baiters and a Hunt.

I’m assuming the dog was born /bought in lockdown - when working springer pups with a decent pedigree were going for £2K plus. Perhaps the owner feels that someone prepared to pay £500 is more likely to give the dog a good home and is also trying to recoup some of his own outlay? In this situation, I’d definitely be picking it up from their home address and seeing it interact with the surroundings.
I think there’s other good advice on here about asking for vaccination certificates etc to make sure the seller and the owner are one and the same.

If I was rehoming my dog I would still go through a recognised rescue eg springer Spaniel rescue in this case who would do all the necessary home checks and provide back up if things went wrong. Obviously the rescue would probably charge a fee for this service. Without these checks you could be buying a “stolen” dog or one with a known genetic problem or One involved in matrimonial dispute. Vets are unable to give details of what the chip says unless chip is flagged as a stolen dog due to data protection. Family should be able to provide proper paperwork re spaying, vaccinations and chip details from veterinary receipts. Family concerned should also wish your circumstances to be checked. I know I sound a bit ott but have been involved with rescue for many years. I’ve witnessed the worst of human behaviour with many lies being told. I really hope it all works out well for you and the wee dog.

No way, not "more way"

More way

They are not rehoming, they are making a profit

They have made an "assessment" of your home based on you description

The dog hasn't been sterilized so she can have puppies

You do not meet the criteria of dog rescues

I agree with everyone else, a vet check is not just advisable but necessary. They can also check for microchips to ensure the dog's provenance.
I think £500 is a lot for a dog they want to rehome.

ParlorGames

Aveline

Why not suggest meeting at a vets? Good practice on both sides. If they refuse - draw your own conclusions.

I agree Aveline and would avoid if the sellers were disinclined to agree.

Or…try to find out which vet she’s used for vaccinations and phone them explaining what it is you’re planning. Any decent vet would understand your concerns. It’s a tricky one.