Rehoming Dogs. Any difference between big and small shelters?

deadlybuzzman

Me and my other half are looking at getting a rescue dog.
What I'm wondering is with larger shelters having an economy of scale and less of a financial pressure, would larger shelters be pickier about what dogs they give to who and be less likely to give someone a dog that may turn out to be unsuitable?
Or maybe I'm just over thinking it!

muddypaws

I think actually, that smaller shelters may be pickier, it all depends on the rescue itself. I have a friend that recently adopted a pup from one of the largest rescues, their homecheck lasted 4 minutes!

Posy

I adopted a dog from the <snip>- they did no home visit or follow up and didn't even ask if there are any children in the house or if I had a garden etc. So they certainly didn't seem picky!!



Edit: Ooops, sorry DBB, I forgot about not naming shelters because it was a thread about shelters!

Inexile

have a look at the what the rescue says it rehoming criteria are and see what suits.

All rescues regardless of size should be doing the following

a) a home check
b) neutering
c) microchipping
d) vacinations
e) formal adoption contract and follow up/advise after adoption
f) a take back policy in the event the adoption doesn't work out.

Some rescues wont rehome dogs where people are at work all day and adopters aren't in a position to avail of doggy day care, dog walkers etc.

deadlybuzzman

Inexile wrote: »

have a look at the what the rescue says it rehoming criteria are and see what suits.

All rescues regardless of size should be doing the following

a) a home check
b) neutering
c) microchipping
d) vacinations
e) formal adoption contract and follow up/advise after adoption
f) a take back policy in the event the adoption doesn't work out.

Some rescues wont rehome dogs where people are at work all day and adopters aren't in a position to avail of doggy day care, dog walkers etc.

Thats the thing. There's nothing in that list that I could do anything but agree with strongly yet I've had certain centres almost selling me dogs and others leaving me messages infering prove to us your worth, and its that disparity that makes me wonder.

Inexile

Rescues can take different approaches and it can depend on the person you are dealing with.

Sometimes representatives of rescues can just get a bit weary. They can one minute be dealing with people who just want to get rid of a dog asap and then dealing with someone genuinely interested in rehoming. Sometimes it can be hard to switch from the negative situation to the positive.

In your shoes I would look to see what rescue have the dog or type of dog you are interested and once they working within the list I have given earlier go with your gut.

Once they are doing the things listed above they should be ok.

jayobray

The recue where we got our second dog met us twice at their shelter, and we brought our existing dog along to the second meeting, so they didn't homecheck, as they could see how happy and well looked after the first lad was. Plus we were travelling a bit of a distance so it may have been awkward for them to visit, they're quite a small shelter. But we gave them permission to ask our vet about us, and also the kennels we use occasionally.