Dogs Trust

Re: Dogs Trust

Vicky RVN — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:23:39 GMT

Before i got Jack i looked at RSPCA. I got a form from reception and filled it out. I was honest with my working hours, at the time i worked 8-5. I said that the boss was fine with me taking the dog into work with me if i needed too (told her where i worked), i was in contact with a dog walker when needed and my parents both part time so between them they were at home 3 days out of 5. The snotty woman on reception asked me what would happen if i moved out of home. I said i'd drop the dog off to my parents house for the day so they could dog sit. She said that in that case it would be more my parents dog than mine! So had to change the form to their name. How petty is that?! She was obv trying to do everything she could to not let me take a dog, she spoke to me like i was a piece of shit! I'm not going back there again, her attitude totally put me off, such a jobsworth.

Re: Dogs Trust

Jo Mackenzie — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:07:31 GMT

Before I got Gypsy I was turned down point blank by the Dogs Trust on the grounds that I lived in an flat, regardless of the fact that it was a HUGE flat, right next to a HUGE park, and that I'm a vet nurse etc etc. I think it's right that they should be strict but they should be flexible too. Lucky for me I ended up with Gypsy, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

In a practice I used to work at in Glasgow, we had one particular client who'd got a dog from the Dog's Trust. She was an elderly woman who was very unsteady on her feet (needed someone to hold her arm wherever she went) and lived alone. What did they give her? A nice little old poodle or yorkie? No - a six month old GSD bitch who had some serious issues. Only the woman's son could take her to the vets, and when she was in it took a dog-catcher and three people (and a muzzle!) to restrain her as she was so aggressive. I left the practice shortly afterwards so don't know what became of the dog but I don't imagine she's still in that home.

Re: Dogs Trust

Kathryn Welsh — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:01:45 GMT

My girly came from Dogs Trust and do agree with Vicky it all seemed a little too easy... Oh your a vet nurse - which dog would you like? - yes you can collect tomorrow! I turned several down as they were totally unsuitable and the kennel assistant had not listened to a word I said but I'm lucky and would defo go back if/when I decide to get another. Another note my girl came from the Harefield branch but my mum got one from the Merseyside branch and she said it was very strict there. Spot (collie x, very highly strung) wasn't great with other dogs so when mum said she already had a GSD they initally said no-way. She kept trying and eventually managed to get them to let the dogs out together Spot went for the GSD and the girls all said no-way not happening. Now my mums pretty stubborn so wasn't about to give up on him so suggested taking the dogs off leads - lots of persuding required - eventually they agreed and the boys got on so well that he went home with the her the same day. Sorry things didn't go better for you, but don't rule out a rescue altogether.

Re: Dogs Trust

Charlotte Fitzgerald — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:40:19 GMT

It makes me very mad to see how many animals have to sit and wait in kennels to go to a home, when there are so many good people who want to offer a home to them. Yes I understand why they have their policies in place and that they do want them to go to the best possible homes, i fear that sometimes the large charities don't see the bigger picture.

I got my dog (pictured) from the dog's trust and it was not an easy task. He came into work for a cardiac work up was suspected of having a PDA which we confirmed and he needed to have surgery to close it. I instantly registered my interest as I knew he hadn't a home yet. I spoke to my partner that night and we agreed that we could give him a good home. I called the dog's trust the very next day to say that I would like to visit and explained the situation that I was a VN working at a cardioolgy specialist etc and I was fobbed off. No one knew anything about him or what was happening with him. After weeks of phone calls and attempted visits I eventually got to see him and after speaking to the centre manager and a home visit etc I was allowed to have him. By this time he had already had his surgery (in which if he had had it when I had homed him and at my practice I would have gladdly contributed) and was totally stressed out in the kennel environment.

I do understand that a charity so big needs to have protocols in place, but surely the powers that be should be able to see the bigger picture and allow the animals to go to loving homes that are waiting for them instead of putting off potential new owners.

I really feel for you it must be awful to get so close and then be told no, I was very nearly in that situation myself. The local practice that does all the charity work for the dog's trust told them of my interest and I think that really did help. I got the information about my dog mostly from that vet practice, I was very lucky as they are a practice we often liase with.

I really hope you get somewhere because a little dog would be very lucky to have you for an owner.

Re: Dogs Trust

Maisy — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:55:29 GMT

Have you looked on Dogpages? There are lots of dogs looking for homes through different rescues on there.

Hope you manage to find one soon.

Re: Dogs Trust

Tracy Windler RVN — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:50:58 GMT

Oh, I totally agree that they are doing a good job, and I would always encourage people to go there initially. We have a local, independent rescue that we simply can't go to, as my boyfriend finds it too disturbing!

I'm pretty sure it was the high and mighty managers that decided we weren't suitable, as all the staff I interacted with were falling over themselves to help, hence why we managed to get to spend so much time with him, sitting in his kennel with his kennel mate and talking to the kennel staff about him. I was about to give up on our 2nd visit there, but one of the girls came in the kennel with us and played with him-showed us that he was much friendlier with people he knows. God, I want to cry now thinking about him sitting in that cold kennel and how happy he would be here

Re: Dogs Trust

Maisy — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:44:33 GMT

It is unfair for them to have allowed you to get your hopes if they wanted an entirely different home altogether.

On a different note, seeing the difference between some smaller 'rescues' rehoming and those of places with more rules is interesting with regards to animals being returned. To have flat blanket policies may mean an animal is missing a good home, so it helps to have some flexibility, but my experience with Dogs Trust was that there were fewer dogs being returned for being unsuitable overall. I would still recommend them to potential owners.

Re: Dogs Trust

Tracy Windler RVN — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:40:02 GMT

Thanks for all you support, guys, at least I know I'm not being unreasonable. Unfortunately, it was the assistant manager that I spoke to this morning, she was doing the good old "repeat the same sentence over and over again" thing, which is what I do to people who are trying to convince me to do something that I simply can't do ("No, madam, I simply cannot break the law and give you canaural when we havn't seen your dog for 5 years and I'm sure the vet knows Toby very well.....!!!).

If they had said from the start that he needed someone who will be there all day, that would be fine, but to let it get that far, after we filled in the forms to say how long we would leave him and I had a big discussion with one of the girls about what I do and how I would be taking him to work with me eventually (they actually seemed very keen on that, as he has a big fear of vets and my dog now loves the vets after coming to work with me so much).

Unfortunately, I am now considering getting a puppy, as I have never had one and I think my partner would bond better with a puppy, as he isn't such a dog person as I am. I would much rather re-home a rescue, but won't be going back there now- very sad.

Re: Dogs Trust

Sal the 1st — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:38:00 GMT

having worked for a charity (not the one mentioned) I can see that sometimes the rules can seemingly be too stringently applied. Maybe a call and a chat with a centre manager may help? Not sticking up for anybody but dogs that find themselves in rehoming centres have already been let down at least once and sometimes the rehoming staff have to be really really careful and try to make sure that doesnt happen again. Sometimes in their quest to find a dog the best home maybe they are too careful? I'm not for one minute saying you are an unsuitable owner or your circumstances are wrong for the dog - it is worth a phone call at least?I am sorry you have been allowed to get so attached to be turned down at the last minute.

Re: Dogs Trust

LoveCat — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:28:52 GMT

I have heard a lot of stories from various clients at our practice who have been turned down from charities when trying to rehome a pet for all manor of reasons. It invariably results in people going out and buying what they want from a breeder instead which is a real shame.

I understand that charities need to make sure that people know, and our prepared for what they are taking on but sometimes their demands seem to be unrealistic. How many good dog owners really have a garden completely enclosed by a six foot fence, are at home ALL day, have no children or no other pets? Not many I would wager. It makes me feel a fool when I have convinced wonderful people, who I know would be able to give a pet a great home, to approach a charity only for them to be turned down for silly reasons!

Re: Dogs Trust

Nicola Smith — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:27:47 GMT

Dogs Trust gone down in my estimations. A client of ours was having a home check. Her cat was sat on the sofa ignoring the dog so they sat the dog next to the cat, the cat jumped off the sofa and walked away so they put the cat in the corner of the room with the dog in front and then siad they were unsuitable as the cat swiped. What cat wouldnt when cornered. She complained but got nowhere!!

Re: Dogs Trust

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:22:50 GMT

Twindy,

I am very sorry to hear that

I agree with Maisy - definitely get in touch with the manager and explain the situation - saying similar to what you have written here would be perfect.

Thinking of you and do let us know how you get on xx

Re: Dogs Trust

Maisy — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:38:10 GMT

Sorry to hear about that I used to work for Dogs Trust and the policies are strict compared to some charities/rescues, but for this the number of dogs being returned is probably lower than others too.

Twindy if you had stated how long the dog would be left for at the start and you had been able to reserve the dog I would ring and speak to one of the managers. If this was going to be an issue they shouldn't have allowed you to reserve that particular dog in the first place and follow through with home visits etc.

Hope you manage to get it sorted.

Re: Dogs Trust

Vicky RVN — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:27:11 GMT

So sorry to hear that I know how devastating it is to have a dog lined up then be let down. I was supposed to get a beagle from a client cos they were rehoming him. Went for walks with them, had him at our house for the weekend, went and brought everything for him. Then on the morning i was supposed to collect him they phoned to say they'd changed their minds and didn't want him rehomed after all. Was totally devastated. The poor little chap ended up stuck in their flat in town with no training and next time he came into work to see the vet he bit the owner because they were trying to restrain him. He was totally unsuitable for them and it's so upsetting to know that he has ended up aggression problems because of his boredom and lack of training because of them having no time or money for training classes

I got Jack from Dogs Trust very easily. It was good for me, but makes me wonder how many are given inappropriate homes. A nurse from works mum went there, spent a long time going to take a dog for walks and doing training stuff with them before taking a dog home which is a good thing. I went on a sat, walked Jack, they said do you want him, i said yes, they said fine, he's being castrated in the week so you can get him next weekend. They did a home check where they guy didn't even go in the garden cos it was raining and then i took him home on the saturday. Was all a bit too easy!

Re: Dogs Trust

Deemus — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:26:18 GMT

I'm sorry it hasn't worked out for you Twindy.

It beggars belief that a charity who is all too aware that there are thousands of dogs in kennels in desperate need of a home would turn down a willing home for the sake of the dog being left at home for four hours max.

Did they give you any other reason? I know a client of ours was turned down for rehoming a Shi-Tzu for having a 4ft fence instead of a 6 ft fence in their large back garden. Admittedly it wasn't the Dog's Trust but the sentiment's the same!

What did that client do? Yep, they went out and bought a Shi-Tzu puppy from a breeder thus perpetuating the problem!

Re: Dogs Trust

loopylou711 — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:25:39 GMT

we got Niamh and Luka from cats protection but when we went and enquired about another kitten as extra company for Niamh they said no! There reasons were varied from we don't think your suitable because your a student (gave us 2 cats the year before ) or your flats too small ( stay in a huge 2 bed flat!) and finally your homes not suitable!

Pissed me of so much that i ended up buying Poppy even though we wanted to rehome one!

No wonder there are so many unwanted cats and dogs when they make it so bloody hard to rehome them! I know they are just making sure, but surely spending agesss in a kennel aint good for them when they can get a new home!

Anyways hope your ok! Am sure you will find the perfect dog again!

Re: Dogs Trust

Claire Cameron — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:18:51 GMT

I remember speaking to a client who had a 6month old baby, worked from home, always had labradors and springers and now wanted a rescue dog, went to Dogs Trust and they said because she had a baby they wouldn't rehome a dog to her!!!