DSPCA shelters a joke!

Rojo25

Havent been able keep a dog in two years, been living in apartment, now own a house well togged out for a dog or two, have always had dogs around, German Shephards and Dobermans as the Da used to train them as gaurd dogs.

Anyway, the missus, me son and myself have been excited about the prospect of bringing pup into the home and making it part of the family, have sights set on Husky, GSD or Doberman, dogs I was always fond of due to keeping them as pets during childhood.

Willing to shell out cash to get a decently bred dog, but if there are dogs at risk in the pounds and sanctuaries we are willing to save them.

Last week took a visit to DSPCA shelter, and havent been in one ina few years. The place was like a circus, dozens of people coming in and out just to visit, eyeing up dogs they not going to take, there seemed be more emphasis on selling novelty trinkets then finding good homes for dogs.

There were some puppies there, German Shepard crosses they looked like, I enquired about taking one, was told I couldnt as they are 'reserved' by someone online, so basically some anonymous person had given word they take the dog.
Took a trip back today and the dogs are still there, I enquired as to why the dogs hadnt gone to their new homes promised by the online reservists . was told they coudlnt give garuntee the dogs just yet!
What the f*ck, these dogs are suppose be in need, and the prospect of being put down, Im there willing to take a dog then and there and Im told No that the online promise made by some anonymous person is more important.

Im sure there are people within the DSPCA that want the best for the animals, but the pounds purpose seems to be more about getting 85 quid for dogs that they hope are returned so they can be sold again, and hopefully some trinkets as your walk out the door.

phasers

I've had nothing but positive experiences with the DSPCA, I've adopted two dogs through them and received help with a third (took in a stray and the DSPCA advised me on her welfare and spayed/microchipped her for something like €15).

Recently in their emails they've been talking about becoming self sufficient, perhaps that's why they're selling stuff? They have a café too afair, all to help raise money.

I could never fault them in relation to animal welfare either, when I was there the animals all seemed very happy, clean and well fed. The staff seemed to love the animals and were passionate about their care.

How are the DSPCA supposed to know who is serious about adopting a pet and who isn't? There's no harm in people having a look. And if they spend some money, great.

Rojo25

phasers wrote: »

I've had nothing but positive experiences with the DSPCA, I've adopted two dogs through them and received help with a third (took in a stray and the DSPCA advised me on her welfare and spayed/microchipped her for something like €15).

Recently in their emails they've been talking about becoming self sufficient, perhaps that's why they're selling stuff? They have a café too afair, all to help raise money.

I could never fault them in relation to animal welfare either, when I was there the animals all seemed very happy, clean and well fed.

How are the DSPCA supposed to know who is serious about adopting a pet and who isn't? There's no harm in people having a look. And if they spend some money, great.

Talking more about this reserve online sh*te like the dog is a table in a restaurant, surely someone genuine who comes in to take a dog in the flesh and donate afew quid should take priority over some anonymous online promise maker.

Just seems that commercialism has even entered the charitable institutions now.

anniehoo

+1 Phasers
From my experience they are an impeccably run animal shelter and seem to genuinely care about the welfare of its animals.

I find it hard to believe anyone can reserve a pet online and thats it.The DSPCA insist on home checks for all dogs (im a volunteer) and take very seriously the surroundings a dog will be placed into.

I had 2 kittens that needed to be rehomed 2 weeks ago and rang them. They answered the phone straighaway and had no problem taking them that day.Luckily i found homes before i had to do that.

Yes, i think too much funding is spent on administration expenses but overall i cant fault them. Another option is the Dogs Trust off the N2..another very well run animal shelter.

Sigma Force

They are a pound not a rescue, the delay in homing could be because they are (supposed to anyway) do homechecks which can take a couple of weeks. I would of though pups are quarantines until they've had all their jabs but not sure how this works at that rescue.

But don't be disheartned there are lots of pups and dogs looking for homes and it can be hard for rescues to find homes for larger dogs so there are bound to be tons of dogs to choose from.

Perhaps look outside of Dublin, check out irishanimals.ie there are a lot of rescues in the surrounding area and breed rescues as well that concentrate on certain breeds or breed crosses that need homes.

You'll find one in no time, but you may need a homecheck but if you have the garden already enclosed and thought of the practical things like where the dog will sleep that should all go ok. Homechecks are generally done by volunteers so it might take a few days or a week or two for someone to have the time to come out and homecheck.

anniehoo

Rojo25 wrote: »

What the f*ck, these dogs are suppose be in need, and the prospect of being put down,.

Also the DSPCA have a "No Put Down" policy.

EGAR

Sorry, Anniehoo that is NOT true. I got contacted by many volunteers, work experience girls and even some of the latters parents about Bull Breed pups which were pts'd by the DSPCA.

ISDW

Rojo25 wrote: »

Havent been able keep a dog in two years, been living in apartment, now own a house well togged out for a dog or two, have always had dogs around, German Shephards and Dobermans as the Da used to train them as gaurd dogs.

Anyway, the missus, me son and myself have been excited about the prospect of bringing pup into the home and making it part of the family, have sights set on Husky, GSD or Doberman, dogs I was always fond of due to keeping them as pets during childhood.

Willing to shell out cash to get a decently bred dog, but if there are dogs at risk in the pounds and sanctuaries we are willing to save them.

Last week took a visit to DSPCA shelter, and havent been in one ina few years. The place was like a circus, dozens of people coming in and out just to visit, eyeing up dogs they not going to take, there seemed be more emphasis on selling novelty trinkets then finding good homes for dogs.

There were some puppies there, German Shepard crosses they looked like, I enquired about taking one, was told I couldnt as they are 'reserved' by someone online, so basically some anonymous person had given word they take the dog.
Took a trip back today and the dogs are still there, I enquired as to why the dogs hadnt gone to their new homes promised by the online reservists . was told they coudlnt give garuntee the dogs just yet!
What the f*ck, these dogs are suppose be in need, and the prospect of being put down, Im there willing to take a dog then and there and Im told No that the online promise made by some anonymous person is more important.

Im sure there are people within the DSPCA that want the best for the animals, but the pounds purpose seems to be more about getting 85 quid for dogs that they hope are returned so they can be sold again, and hopefully some trinkets as your walk out the door.

If you are serious about a husky, I run Irish Sled Dog Welfare and unfortunately have a lot of huskies looking for homes at the moment. I also have a lovely GSD/husky cross girl. Pm me if you'd like to know more.

blondie7

the DSPCA do brilliant work, they do all they can to save an animal. They dont just put an animal to sleep cos nobody wants it! The Cafe and shop are a brilliant idea, ive been out there a few times getting foster cats vaccinated and such and its been great to be able to sit down and have a coffee while your waiting and even pick up cat food and collars. I have only good to say about the DSPCA and wont hear anything said against them!

kopfan77

ISDW wrote: »

If you are serious about a husky, I run Irish Sled Dog Welfare and unfortunately have a lot of huskies looking for homes at the moment. I also have a lovely GSD/husky cross girl. Pm me if you'd like to know more.

do ye have many dogs that ye are looking for homes for. We have a lovely 8 month old gsd and we are thinking of getting a companion for her. ideally we'd like to get a dog who will be similar size to her, so if ye are looking to rehome dogs in the coming months id definitely be interested

ISDW

kopfan77 wrote: »

do ye have many dogs that ye are looking for homes for. We have a lovely 8 month old gsd and we are thinking of getting a companion for her. ideally we'd like to get a dog who will be similar size to her, so if ye are looking to rehome dogs in the coming months id definitely be interested

Unfortunately yes, we have a lot of dogs looking for homes at the moment, including a lovely GSD/husky cross bitch and a few mals, who would be more GSD size than a siberian.

kopfan77

ISDW wrote: »

Unfortunately yes, we have a lot of dogs looking for homes at the moment, including a lovely GSD/husky cross bitch and a few mals, who would be more GSD size than a siberian.

I wouldnt be looking to get a companion until around the end of october, but ill definitely be back in touch closer to the time as it sounds like ye have exactly the type of dog id be looking for. do you have a pic of the gsd/husky cross??

morganafay

Well at least it's not the CSPCA . . .

Michael B

OP maybe check out Dogs Trust. We got our dog from them and it's a lovely place. Now they are strict but they just want to find the right home for the dogs. They're very helpful, a pleasure to deal with. Otherwise get in touch with Dogs in Distress, they have their own forum. It might be a better experience for you than shelters. Best of luck and good on you for trying to take in a rescue dog.

Rojo25

Michael B wrote: »

OP maybe check out Dogs Trust. We got our dog from them and it's a lovely place. Now they are strict but they just want to find the right home for the dogs. They're very helpful, a pleasure to deal with. Otherwise get in touch with Dogs in Distress, they have their own forum. It might be a better experience for you than shelters. Best of luck and good on you for trying to take in a rescue dog.

Thanks mate,
Have been to Dogs Trust, Dogs aid and DID, and all wonderful people with the animals interest at heart, nothing really there at mo that would suit me or the household, but I donated afew quid none the less.

Dogs Aid have what I think could be w GSD/Doberman/Rott cross puppies, and if not claimed by Wednesday I think Ill take them.

seamus

Rojo25 wrote: »

Last week took a visit to DSPCA shelter, and havent been in one ina few years. The place was like a circus, dozens of people coming in and out just to visit, eyeing up dogs they not going to take, there seemed be more emphasis on selling novelty trinkets then finding good homes for dogs.

They're not just going to throw dogs at people. They've got a big enough facility there - some people come in as daytrippers; Take the kids up to see a few dogs, maybe take one for a walk and then go home again. What do you expect them to do? Stop people and ask them why they haven't taken a dog? Stop people from coming in unless they're actually looking for a dog? Of course not.
Allowing people to browse the dogs without any kind of commitment increases footfall and concordently increases the number of animals being rehomed.

There were some puppies there, German Shepard crosses they looked like, I enquired about taking one, was told I couldnt as they are 'reserved' by someone online, so basically some anonymous person had given word they take the dog.

I don't know where you got this "anonymous" nonsense. What happens is that someone offers to take the dog/cat and they put a "reserve" on the animal. The DSPCA has this person's full details. They do a homecheck, they encourage the person to come up a few times, take the dog out for a walk with the whole family (including any other dogs) and then leave it back to the shelter and come and collect the dog when they're 100% happy that the dog will settle into the home.
People often get an idea into their head about getting an animal, then change their mind 2 days later. The "reserve" system gives people that time to change their mind. The DSPCA chase up anyone who has a dog on reserve and the dog will be unreserved again if the person loses interest.
They want to be able to give a dog out and be certain that the dog will not arrive back in the shelter or dumped on the road in a weeks' time.

Took a trip back today and the dogs are still there, I enquired as to why the dogs hadnt gone to their new homes promised by the online reservists . was told they coudlnt give garuntee the dogs just yet!
What the f*ck, these dogs are suppose be in need, and the prospect of being put down

The DSPCA do not put down healthy animals. If the dog has to wait six months to be rehomed, then it will be in the DSPCA for six months.
As said by someone else, there is often a delay in performing homechecks so dogs can be on reserve for typically two weeks. It's not rare that you will see the same dogs on reserve if you go up two weeks in a row. The dogs are well looked after in the shelter, walked and played with every single day, so it's not exactly an awful thing if the dogs have to be kept in the DSPCA for an extra week or two to ensure that they are going to a nice home.

Guineapigrescue wrote: »

They are a pound not a rescue

THEY ARE A RESCUE.

Jesus Christ people, check your facts before you post something will ya?

In the interests of transparency, I don't work with or volunteer at the DSPCA, but a family member works there so I would know a good deal about the "behind the scenes" stuff and I'm up there more than most people would be.

morganafay

I heard somewhere that if someone brings in a pregnant cat or orphaned kittens then the DSPCA will put them down (the kittens, not mother) . . . does anyone know if that's true? I have no evidence of it, just heard it.

seamus

A pregnant cat, no. They have a "maternity" room separate to the other cages where nursing cats and bitches are kept. Orphaned kittens can go either way afaik:

As anyone who's ever rescued kittens will tell you; without a mother to care for them, survival chances for new kittens are well less than 50%, even if you hand feed them and sit up with them all night. Even if you have 4 kittens, the odds of even saving one are extremely poor.

I couldn't confirm either way, but I would assume that unless a staff member offers to take them home and care for them, or they can find a nursing mother to take care of them, then the kindest thing to do is PTS as they'll be dead by morning anyway. With the exception of a few core staff members, the facility is empty overnight, so they wouldn't have the resources on-site to take care of new kittens overnight, every night for a few weeks.

blondie7

seamus wrote: »

A pregnant cat, no. They have a "maternity" room separate to the other cages where nursing cats and bitches are kept. Orphaned kittens can go either way afaik:

As anyone who's ever rescued kittens will tell you; without a mother to care for them, survival chances for new kittens are well less than 50%, even if you hand feed them and sit up with them all night. Even if you have 4 kittens, the odds of even saving one are extremely poor.

I couldn't confirm either way, but I would assume that unless a staff member offers to take them home and care for them, or they can find a nursing mother to take care of them, then the kindest thing to do is PTS as they'll be dead by morning anyway. With the exception of a few core staff members, the facility is empty overnight, so they wouldn't have the resources on-site to take care of new kittens overnight, every night for a few weeks.

The DSPCA foster alot of these kittens out to people with experience and also there own staff take them home with them unitl there old enoigh and strong enough to be re-homed. Ive never heard of the DSPCA putting a healthy animal to sleep, i no my cat i got from them, was in a bad way and they thought he might have to PTS but thankfully they done emergency surgery and the little brat is as healthy as can be

seamus

blondie7 wrote: »

The DSPCA foster alot of these kittens out to people with experience and also there own staff take them home with them unitl there old enoigh and strong enough to be re-homed. Ive never heard of the DSPCA putting a healthy animal to sleep, i no my cat i got from them, was in a bad way and they thought he might have to PTS but thankfully they done emergency surgery and the little brat is as healthy as can be

If they think there's any chance for recovery/survival, then they'll always give an animal that chance.
Very young kittens though (I couldn't tell you exactly how young), particularly in their first week, are extremely unlikely to survive without their mother and unless you have 24 hours a day to devote to the kittens for an entire month, they are likely to die in a short space of time. So when it comes to kittens like that, if the DSPCA can't find someone to take care of the kittens, I imagine they probably take the humane option and put them to sleep.

blondie7

seamus wrote: »

If they think there's any chance for recovery/survival, then they'll always give an animal that chance.
Very young kittens though (I couldn't tell you exactly how young), particularly in their first week, are extremely unlikely to survive without their mother and unless you have 24 hours a day to devote to the kittens for an entire month, they are likely to die in a short space of time. So when it comes to kittens like that, if the DSPCA can't find someone to take care of the kittens, I imagine they probably take the humane option and put them to sleep.

I doubt they do put them to sleep but im not confirming or denying this, im only speaking from the work ive seen them do. I no my cat was only 3 weeks old when he was brought in. I couldnt say a bad word against the DSPCA they do brilliant work and there facilities are excellent.

miju

I think it's only fair the DSPCA have right of reply to some of the utter tripe thats been posted on this (and a couple of other threads).

So I've emailed them the link to this and other threads and with a bit of luck we'll have some things cleared up I'm sure.

morganafay

seamus wrote: »

As anyone who's ever rescued kittens will tell you; without a mother to care for them, survival chances for new kittens are well less than 50%, even if you hand feed them and sit up with them all night. Even if you have 4 kittens, the odds of even saving one are extremely poor.

I've heard other people saying that orphaned kittens usually die, but I've handreared ones and know people who have, one woman who handreared several litters, and every single one survived.

But then the same woman handreared six boxers and only one survived.

I can understand why they'd put them down if they weren't thriving though.

CatDawg

Anyone bashing the DSPCA or any animal recue/shelter should be ashamed - you obviousdly have NO idea of the hardships involved in running an organisation like this.

It's like a circus? - yes most places involved in working animals are - believe me I know!
Some dogs were "reserved"? - shock horror! How DARE a rehoming shelter actually find homes for animals!

Be grateful our country has a place like this - they are few and far between.

Speaking as an Irish Veterinary Nurse; I can appreciate the work involved and won't be taking any of the comments by the ignorant bystanders posted on here too seriously - I hope no one does.

Keep up the good work DSPCA, you are a true asset to this shambles of a country

portgirl123

CatDawg wrote: »

Anyone bashing the DSPCA or any animal recue/shelter should be ashamed - you obviousdly have NO idea of the hardships involved in running an organisation like this.

It's like a circus? - yes most places involved in working animals are - believe me I know!
Some dogs were "reserved"? - shock horror! How DARE a rehoming shelter actually find homes for animals!

Be grateful our country has a place like this - they are few and far between.

Speaking as an Irish Veterinary Nurse; I can appreciate the work involved and won't be taking any of the comments by the ignorant bystanders posted on here too seriously - I hope no one does.

Keep up the good work DSPCA, you are a true asset to this shambles of a country

im not saying i agree or disagree with this thread, but why have u brought it back up to the front for ppl to read it again. the last post was in July. after all this time i cant see any good coming out of you posting here now.

CatDawg

I wasn't aware there was a time limit on expressing an opinion