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Post by kunuma on Sept 4, 2011 13:25:00 GMT 1
Hi folks, bet you thought you had got rid of me! Still here and would like to pick the brains of this captive audience re rescue pets. This comes from discovering that so many of the often well meaning people who want to adopt a rescue animal, are actually not at all suited to taking on an adult with problems, and seem convinced what they will get is a ready made perfect pet! So, how do you choose your pets? In my case I never get any choice, they come and find me (even when I try and hide!) but not counting those you kind of acquire, if you were going off to deliberately get a new guinea pig, dog , cat, horse, or whatever, would you choose a rescue animal or go to a good breeder (getting from a back yard breeder or puppy farm is really more of a rescue!). If you would choose a rescue - how would you go about choosing it? Plus why? I'm really interested in how people view rescue - there are no right or wrong answers btw!! Just need honest opinions! PS Claire I can't remember how to add a poll?
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Post by haffyfan on Sept 4, 2011 18:52:00 GMT 1
Murph came form a dealer cum breeder. He hadn't bred Murph but he had been born with them. I went to look at young warmblood foal to make about 16.3 and came back with a scrawny sports horse (honest!) who is about 14.2! Harry also came from a dealer abeit a more shady one, the main reason for buying him was the state he was in....terribly overgrown feet and not happy with being handled at all. Sensible thing was probably to report him BUT I knew he's say only just got him and look you can't get near him etc etc and nothing would happen...Others not as bad as Harry it has to be said and his horse and hound horses on the yard proper very smart of course. Couldn't just leave them there to continue being passed from pillar to post could I (plus my OH wouldn't have let me and as you know did a lot of the early handling work [and later to be fair despite being a novice] with him as i was scared of the wild beastie). Took about 9 months to get all 4 feet off floor( fronts were easy but he didn't like you touching beyond his shoulders) and then after gaining his trust for that things became easier. After a year or so he was turning into a big softie and we backed him after about 18 months. Would I take on a horse from a charity ? Probably not as it wouldn't be mine. Selfish - probably I'm not sure. Having had a friend who many years ago now had two Shetlands adopted from a local charity taken off her when she moved yards...because a horse belonging to the charity had once had to be destroyed there as broke it's leg turned out...accident -s**t happens! That was their supposedly valid reason for taking them back, they couldn't have asked for a better home but some sort of silly internal politics ensued. Jadey came from the RSPCA, we said we needed an older dog as we both work and didn't ahve time for a puppy. We also decided we would have the dog that had been there longest/struggling to be rehomed as long as it would be happy to be alone some days (hence ideally an older dog that would get some kip and no anxiety issues) Jade was the longest serving canine at that point and at 9 wasn't getting any interest. The vets bills have run into thousands but we couldn't have found a better one who would ahve fitted into our lives so well if we had searched the entire planet! From week one she has happily gone and spent a few days at my Mums each week to make sure she is not home alone too much and will settle anywhere - she is just so laid back about everything. Would only have rescue dogs from now on although we support a local charity [Babworth animal rescue kennels] and it would be through them most likely. This is my special boy who if jade were not so old and precious these days and if I could be home for him I would have like a shot. Fingers crossed for him as he is currently reserved pending a home check something i really didn't think would happen as he's so so so nervous and really got pyschological problems caused by his past. Hopefully taz's happy ending is just around the corner. The amount that get taken back after rehoming staggers me...this week they have two coming back and are already bursting at seams. In the year or so we have been going I ahve seen a quite a large number rehomed only to return...i don't think people always understand/think about what they are taking on [people who buy from breeders too] and often forget a rescue dog has already been let down previously by humans.... sorry i'll stop going on now
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Post by garej on Sept 4, 2011 20:24:52 GMT 1
If you would choose a rescue - how would you go about choosing it? Plus why? Well volunteering for the Cats Protection all 3 of mine have been rescues, as a volunteer you do end up falling in love with some of the cats and wanting to take them home!! If you are wanting to know about the logistics of choosing a cat, well the answer is ring and find out how they operate. I know even different Cat Protection run things differently - ours you generally turn up during public opening hours (no appointment required), but some do "home visit first, then you come and look" and some do "make an appointment to visit the cats". I would choose rescue again because unlike horses the animals cannot be taken off you (unless you seriously neglect them, and even then it's the RSPCA's job) and there are so many fantastic cats up and down the country, who want homes. They arent there simply because they are naughty, they are quite often strays or the owner's circumstances have changed (died, moved into a care home or simply could not afford them financially). A kitten is not for everyone (and I certainly would not want one!!), and there are so many older cats (many just a year old), wanting homes. Besides I want to volunteer for a long time, so the chances are I will fall in love with another resident there. Also a good rescue charity (be aware of ones that dont, usually small independent ones, not the major ones) should do a home visit. This is to make sure your home is the right one, so you get the right animal for you, and not ones with loads of "problems" (unless you want a problematic animal). The staff should ask you questions beforehand (or some give out a questionnaire to fill) about your type of home so they dont waste time showing you unsuitable animals which are liable to be returned back. Also be aware (unless there is a genuine medical reason e.g. the cat is ill) of any centre who wont let you visit the animal (whether it be in specially designated meeting rooms or in it's pen) whilst at the shelter, but expect you to take it home. After all, if you havent met the animal, how are you supposed to know whether it is right for you personality wise?
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Post by Claire on Sept 4, 2011 20:45:39 GMT 1
I have never ever bought an animal in my life, except for one gerbil! Horses have all been on loan, cats and dog were all strays/rescues. As my dad is a one man unofficial cat rescue society and both of us have worked for various animal shelters, we have had more cats than we knew what to do with and couldn't actually keep them all. Even most of the rodents and fish were rescued from people who didnt want them any more! If I was going out to get another pet it would definitely be from a rescue centre and not a breeder, and my criteria would be to pick the one which was in most desperate need (ie was going to be put down if unhomed) or the ones that no-one wanted cos they weren't cute, only had 1 eye, etc, as long as they would fit in with my other animals that would be the only criteria. Unfotunately I know a lot of people take the opposite view and want a perfect cute pet without paying a lot of money and that is where the problems arise. BTW kunuma to add a poll - there should be a link right at the top of your first post on the thread saying 'add poll', just click on that and then its self explanatory what to do.
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Post by garej on Sept 4, 2011 21:57:06 GMT 1
my criteria would be to pick the one which was in most desperate need (ie was going to be put down if unhomed) or the ones that no-one wanted cos they weren't cute, only had 1 eye, etc, as long as they would fit in with my other animals that would be the only criteria.. I would like to point out that the Cats Protection do not put cats to sleep regardless of how long they are in the shelter or age. It is only done on medical grounds only. For example at our shelter we have cats there for 2 years and we have currently one which has been there a year. The RSPCA do take the other view, they do put down cats which are old or have been taking up a pen for a long while. They also put down FIV positive cats which the Cats Protection do not (unless there is something else that warrants it or is feral), regardless of the fact that the cat may be perfectly healthy otherwise or have a minor injury. I have had cats which arent perfect: both of mine are FIV positive which people look over because they think that because of the low immune system they will be forever back and to to the vet (not true!) or that they will be more hassle than an non positive indoor only cat (not true!). My Pickle has no tail which would also put some people off and has kidney problems. The first one which I had from there, Jack, also had FIV and kidney problems, but was also had one eye and was incredibly noisy (he was bored and wanted attention!). No doubt that it put people off Jack because I worked out he was there 12 days short of 6 months. So yes please look beyond the cute and fluffy kittens, because the scared ones usually love you tenfold when out of the cattery situation and settled into a home.
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Post by Buster on Sept 4, 2011 22:22:55 GMT 1
Most of our dogs arn't rescues (ok, all if your counting living ones). They were all from breeders or bought fully trained, seeing as they are all gun dogs and actually have a job to do. Not that rescue dog's couldn't do just as well but meh. The only rescue dog i've had has 100% been the best dog of my life, and i'm not sure if i'll ever find another even half as amazing as her. She was also a working dog, a border terrier, think she may have hunted and she'd definatly had a few litters. She was just incredible and so so loyal. Maybe animals that have had a harder time are just that bit more appreciatitive of the love you give them when they get it? Of course I don't need to mention Buster as well. I guess he was also a rescue, in the sense that he was going to be put down if we didn't take him, but he was hardly in an uncomfortable enviroment... in fact I think he felt downgraded when we got him home ;-) I guess rescue animals come with their issues but if you can overcome that it makes them all the more loyal. If I were to go get another dog now, I'd definatly go to an animal shelter :-)
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Post by kunuma on Sept 5, 2011 17:54:02 GMT 1
Thanks for the input all. Picture tells a thousand words Haffy, that lad looks like the world has not been a fun place for him to be in. Home checks are a nightmare - people tell you what they think you want to hear, swear blind that they will never give up on the dog etc etc, then send the poor thing back a couple of days later because it pulled on the lead! Fingers really crossed for him Haff!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2011 18:21:34 GMT 1
Sorry a bit late to this thread....the only dog I've ever owned was a rescue. He was a collie and bonkers ;D Lovely dog though and I had many happy times with him.
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