Crisis facing animal welfare charities

AWWWWWW! Thanks for posting this!

I rescued and fostered for years. I’ve volunteered and fostered for a charity specialising in poodle crosses for 12 years.

My 3 year old lab came at 9 weeks from excellent breeders, who have years of experience with labs. They don’t advertise, only sell to previous owners, or people with references from trainers they know and trust. Why buy? I had 2 baby grandchildren, now there are 4, all under age 8. The rescues coming in now tend to have ‘issues’ that mean they’re unsuitable for my circumstances. My grandchildren are regular visitors but the idea of mixing those toddy children with a rescue who resource guards, or has snapped at children in her previous home isn’t possible.

I try not to judge the many people who buy a doodle or dacksi because they’re cute - then discover they’re dogs. Dogs need training, boundaries, routines. Far too many are initially seen as fur babies (😱) then rejected because they ‘won’t be trained’ or resource guard, growl at the children who frankly, are allowed to harass them.
Yes to restricting breeding. No back street breeding, no treating poor bitches as money making machines

Well that’s ageism if ever there was! They don’t do that here and I hope they never do. Over 50 ? Words fail me.

We spent two years trying to adopt a small dog, any age, but got nowhere. The only time we heard from Battersea and dogs trust etc was when they wrote wanting donations for all the dogs that needed rehoming,
On paper I thought we would be inundated with offers; we didn’t get a single offer.

its not easy to take rescue dogs. The demands made by some charities are not always reasonable. Noone over 50 to adopt - no other pets allowed - not allowed if you work - no children etc etc. I have two friends who have had to go to foreign charities to adopt (gorgeous dogs now blissfully happy) one friend 's daughter is a specialist canine vet and the other friend is a professional dog walker!!!!

We have rescue cats,too. There is a problem for the shelters here because they cannot get enough vaccines for the animals because all the production went into providing the Covid vaccines so they can’t take in anymore animals. We have always only adopted ‘rescues’ They have all been marvellous except one naughty little dog( beagle) who we found a nice farm home for with another beagle. He was an escape artist and liked to steal from all the neighbours ( shoes, soap, milk etc)

I am very judgemental of people buying cats and dogs when there are so many needing a home. We have just said goodbye to our lovely rescue after 15 happy years with her.

It’s time the law was tightened on dog and cat breeding, and ownership. Anyone breeding now should be ashamed of themselves.

We've had two rescue dogs. Both have needed patience in the first yewras oth had been adly treated but they turned into the most marvellous, rewarding lovely dogs. I have poor health and must have winced with pain and immediately our latest rescue jumped u0 and sat by me and gently tapped me with her paw and then just gently kept it there until my pain spasm was over. After the first rescue we never considered having any dog other than a rescue. Of we were younger and fitter with a larger garden we would have more.

It's heartbreaking to read of about the animal charities at breaking point. My late DH and l have always had rescue dogs.
I have had Toby just 6 weeks and he is the most gentle dog l have ever had. I wish l could take on another dog but unfortunately l wouldn't be able to manage two on my own.
I have been thinking about taking on a rescue cat as Toby seems to like them whenever we meet them on our walks. I will contact Cats Protection in the New Year and get some advice.

Rescue centres are inundated as usual. So many healthy dogs being put to sleep and not just the big old challenging ones but also small pretty ones. The dog pounds are responsible for stray dogs for 7 days and if not claimed can “dispose” of them how they wish - it is totally down to overbreeding and irresponsible owners. Weve fostered many many dogs in pts situations and not a bad dog amongst them.

I know that many GNers have adopted a dog or two or more but I hope that more of us will think about it, rather than buy an expensive puppy.

So glad Wilow and her remaining puppies had a happy ending. I dread to think though of all those mistreated and abandoned pets who are not so fortunate.