Having pets but working full time

RoyalMarine

Hi all,

I'm asking this before committing to anything.

Myself and fiancé have bought a house. We have finally moved away from apartment living.

One of the reasons we wanted a house was so we could have pets.
We're both massive dog and cat lovers, as we both have had pets in the family home growing up.

However, it will be another few years before we plan to have children.

Do any of ye have pets at home but both members work full time?

We're both more than happy to walk them morning and evening, and spend a lot of time with them. As said, we have a lot of love to give them.

But we're hesitant to adopt any pets without carefully considering that they will be alone during the day while we work.

So, keeping it civil, how do others feel? How do others manage it?

Walter H Price

Yep , we live in a 3 bed apt

Have 2 5 moth old kittens , cats are great if you work full time perticularly if you get two kittens from the same litter or two bonded cats as they keep each other company and entertained , they dont need walking so no time pressure getting home early enough to bring them out or getting up early.

If their house trained trays can be cleaned in 5 minutes once a day and they groom themselves. Unlike dogs they can live exclusivly indoors and dont need a huge amount of space so long as you provide toys and cat trees (climbing frames), window seat's etc and stuff to keep them occupied.

We have had other cats in out fostering for a long time both work full time gone from 8 in the morning often not back till 7 in the evening , never had a problem they really do look after themselves but are always super affectionate when we get in looking for cuddles and to play .

Dogs are fantastic too but they do need space , regular exercise and a little more hands on care then cats.

If you are looking to get a cat or kittens at any stage PM me i volunteer for a shelter im sure we could hook you up

LCD

Myself & my wife have a dog & both work full time. It's not an ideal situation having a dog on their own so much & be prepared for wildly differing opinions here.

We got him when he was 6ish. Mon - Fri he gets his morning walk before we leave for work. He is out in the back garden for the day & has a kennel there. There is a dog next door, but I`ve never seen them interact.

One of us is home at 5 to let him back in & he gets his longer evening walk. At the weekends he is in all day & probably gets 3 walks. Sunday we'll typically take him somewhere in the car.

Over the winter if it's very cold we do leave him in the house for the day.

I would suggest getting an older dog

Cherry Blossom

A cat, to the best of my knowledge will be happy enough left to their own devices in most cases, a pair of kittens will entertain each other.

Dogs are a different story. A puppy can't be left alone for that length of time. A pair of adults that someone wants to rehome together may be an idea if they are used to being on their own during the day or a single dog if aclimatised to the situation. There are ways to do this. Take two weeks holidays and spend the first week letting a new dog settle in and leaving it on its own for very short periods, a few minutes at first. Increase the amount of alone time slowly in the second week. The following two weeks your OH can take holidays from work. This gives you four weeks to get the dog used to being left alone.

This will only work if the dog sleeps in or has access to wander in and out of your bedroom at night though, otherwise the dog is alone 16 hours a day instead of 8 and that just isn't fair. I'd also go for a breed that is known to be more independent e.g. terriers, herding breeds. Gun dogs, toy breeds and hounds will suffer greatly being left alone all day.

If possible the best long term arrangement would be for one of you to pop home at lunch or hire someone to pop in in the middle of the day to let the dogs out to the toilet and have a bit of a play and chat with them. It can be done but takes a bit of thought and organising.

Dial Hard

LCD wrote:

Myself & my wife have a dog & both work full time. It's not an ideal situation having a dog on their own so much & be prepared for wildly differing opinions here.

This. My sister and I have a dog and we both work full time and I would say that it's definitely not ideal. When we got her I worked from home but unfortunately my circumstances changed and I do suffer from a *lot* of guilt about the dog being home alone all day.

She gets walked in the morning before work, then again as soon as we get home, usually a mountain or river walk for a good hour or more. Then another nighttime walk before bed. So she gets plenty of exercise but I do think she's very lonely during the day. My next door neighbour is a secondary school teacher so during the summer she took her over to her house for a few hours during the day, which was fantastic, but I do think we're going to have to look into doggie day care a couple of days a week going forward.

If two dogs is a possibility for you then definitely consider that, OP, as they're great company for eachother. Unfortunately it's not an option for us.

deadlybuzzman

We got our dog when my wife wasn't working full time. Now that she is our dog has to go in to doggy dare care every day. She's an American Pitbull Terrier and she doesn't do well being on her own for much more than an hour or so.
She's a really really high energy dog that needs company so I'd imagine a low energy older dog that's much less sociable could possibly work.
The likes of rescues that observe dogs day in day out would have a good idea of what would work, plus they tend to have lots of older dogs anyway

OldNotWIse

OH and I both work but we are in the fortunate position of living a two minute walk from "granny" so the dog basically has a home from home daycare when we work and I collect her in the evening. I don't know how I would feel about leaving her home alone while we worked if I didn't have that support network tbh. I think cats are possibly better suited to such a situation, especially because they can come and go with a cat flap. You could get two kitties!

I guess it would vary a lot from one breed to another though. Greyhounds for example are meant to be the worlds fastest couch potatoes or something? Like, when they are exercised they can go for miles, but then they will be quite happy to snuggle for a few hours after! There are always greyhounds looking to be adopted, and they are sweet dogs

AryaStark

You should look at what dog day care options are close to you. Also maybe not get a young puppy if you are going for a dog. The day care is a great option and the dog would be very tired and happy after it. Once it was a bit older and settled in two or three days a week at day care would probably be enough.

Walter H Price

OP didnt include it in my earlier post but would definitly echo a number of other posters here unless you have somone that can call into the dog regularly , dont get a puppy they need allot of TLC and attention , and have far to much energy to be left home alone for 9 hours a day , could end up with behavioural problems for the rest of its life ... look for an older dog maybe one used to elderly or working owners.

theteal

We have two 1.5 year old cats. We leave the top part of the kitchen window open so they come and go as they please. I wasn't keen originally but they're awesome.

We were very close to adopting a 2 year old staffy a few years ago but I just couldn't agree to it. Both of us are gone for 10-14 hours every day, it really wouldn't be fair.

Fakediamond

I have a four year old terrier, that I have since he was three months old. Also had two sibling cats when I got him. I work full-time and suffer huge guilt, but he seems happy enough with his lot. He definitely sleeps most of the day and is walked every evening plus some ball games at home. Extra walks at weekends. He also has use of a cat flap and secure rear garden, if he wishes to pop out during the day. Funnily enough, in four years, I've only seen him outside a handful of times when I get home in the evening.

I'd say I'm just lucky to have a secure, confident little dog who is happy enough with his own company. I know some dogs can suffer massive separation anxiety and that would break my heart, if I thought he was suffering.

Cats are great too, but you can't beat that bond you have with a dog.

One thing I have to say, winter exercise is more difficult as I live in the country and its hard to manage walks in the dark plus he doesn't like traffic or towns so that's not an option! No doggie day care around here either. I'm constantly looking out for winter options for him and am trying to persuade a retired neighbour to take him out.

It's a huge commitment for a number of years and not to be taken on lightly, that's for sure!

Walter2016

Cats are quite happy alone - a cat flap can give extra freedom. many cats are happy going out in the morning and coming back in the evening.

Dogs are different - they want company and some breeds will suffer anxiety if left alone for even a couple of hours (usually the cuter toy breeds).

If getting a dog prepare to build up the time left alone and get vet or pound advice on best breed for being alone.

Ashbx

I have two dogs and work Monday to Friday. Both dogs get a decent walk in the morning but I throw the ball for them so that they are completely worn out when I leave for work. I get home at 5.30. I usually do some sort of brain game or hide treats for them to find (I only do this because I don't want to be running straight out the door again). Bring them for at least an hour walk in the evenings at 6. Sometimes (depending how active they are in the evenings), I will bring them for another 10/15 walk at about 10/10.30.

This works for me because 1. the dogs are in a routine. They know when their walks are and they know when they are going to be left alone. 2. They have eachother to keep eachother occupied. 3. I am seriously committed. Its hard work but I have to go home every day after work. If I want to go for a drink after work or even work late, I will ring my mother who will walk them for me. If she's not available, its not a question for me...I have to go home. Its different because I live alone, hopefully your boyfriend will help out with the dog walking too.

As long as you are committed, it does work out fine. Even better if you could get two dogs to keep eachother company but that would be a lot to take on. I would look into doggy day care and try put the dog in at least two days a week. Do you research and get a breed that would suit the lifestyle and as other posters said, if you can, try get an older dog rather than a puppy. However, if you are adopting, rescue centres will make it incredibly difficult when you tell them you both work full time so be prepared for that too.

Good luck!

tk123

Walter2016 wrote: »

If getting a dog prepare to build up the time left alone and get vet or pound advice on best breed for being alone.

I think a rescue would be able to advise but not a vet or pound??

I have 2 retrievers - one will flip out after being alone (with the other dog) after 5 mins - the other doesn't care at all.

My two are at home all day with my mum - I don't know what I'd do if circumstances changed because of the stress head dog. No amount of exercise of frozen kongs etc make a difference and it really controls our lives at this stage because we can't leave him for fear of upsetting the neighbours

Stigura

Ashbx wrote: »

if you are adopting, rescue centres will make it incredibly difficult when you tell them you both work full time so be prepared for that too.

This. Just be prepared for this.

Bells21

We have two dogs who are great company for each other. Myself and my OH work ten mins from our house. They are walked in the morning, my OH is home for an hour at lunch and I'm home around 3:30. They are walked in the evenings etc again. They are inside when we're at work but never for more than 4 ½ hours. If my OH can't make it home at lunch one of our parents will go and let them out. I know you're asking about working full time and having pets but with dogs you also need to take into account your weekends i.e. weekends away, heading off for the day etc it's a huge commitment and everything needs to be planned in advance to ensure they are looked after.

3dogs

I have 3 dogs and work full time, I got all my dogs when they were young and my younger 2 have learnt the ropes from the older girl so they are all fine.
I walk them in the morning for about 20 mins and they are on their own then for about 7/8 hours with access to the garden. They get another good long off lead walk in the evening.
Outside of work my life revolves around my dogs, they come pretty much everywhere with me. I do feel guilty leaving them when I go to work but I know my guys have a pretty incredible life.
There are far too many dogs who have people home all day but the dog is locked away, at least mine get my attention and time.

Zubeneschamali

Ashbx wrote: »

However, if you are adopting, rescue centres will make it incredibly difficult when you tell them you both work full time so be prepared for that too.

This.

I got a flat "No, you can't adopt a dog" from rescue centres.

razorblunt

I found the rescue center were ok when we told them plans of using a dog walker and staggering our starting/finishing hours.
We've had her almost 4 months now and every month gets better and better - except for her coming into season now after they told us they "think she's been spayed", but that's another story.

Ms Doubtfire1

razorblunt wrote: »

I found the rescue center were ok when we told them plans of using a dog walker and staggering our starting/finishing hours.
We've had her almost 4 months now and every month gets better and better - except for her coming into season now after they told us they "think she's been spayed", but that's another story.

would be curious to know which rescue that was....

DBB

Ms Doubtfire1 wrote: »

would be curious to know which rescue that was....

Razorblunt is in Scotland, and adopted the dog there.
Mod reminder to discuss individual rescues by pm only, thanks

Ms Doubtfire1

DBB wrote: »

Razorblunt is in Scotland, and adopted the dog there.
Mod reminder to discuss individual rescues by pm only, thanks

sorry should have added pm me. Still interested for specific reasons..RB-let me know when you ahve a chance? by PM?

razorblunt

PM sent anyway with the details.

pilly

Cats are fine alone for very long periods so wouldn't worry about that. I feed my cat dry food and leave water out so that looks after her.

Dog is more complicated. Depends very much on the temperament of the dog. I would agree with some other posters here, I'd go for an older dog. I adopted an older dog from a rescue centre for exactly this reason and he's fine. Walked in the morning and again in the evening and happy to loll around other than that. He's even getting lazy about going out some mornings! He is 13 though so I'm prepared for the fact that he won't be around for a very long time.

Walter H Price

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

This.

I got a flat "No, you can't adopt a dog" from rescue centres.

allot of shelters i've worked with in the past in Dublin are very reluctent to rehome pups or young dogs with people working full times as they require way to much work and walking etc ... however in my experience allot of shelters will usualy have older dogs , who maybe used to elderly owners or that who dont need as much exercise and are used to spending a bit of time alone. Id never rule out an older pet , what they lack in energy they make up for 10 fold in affection

I think Cat/s or an older dog is probibly the OP/s best bet

bottlebrush

My dog is 8, got him when he was 4. I wasn't working for the first two years I had him and he was used to me being around all the time. Went back to work two years ago but only work a five minute drive away. I come home every day at lunchtime and I walk him every evening after work. When I went back to work at first he was a little bit anxious but then got used to the routine. He would only stay inside the house at first and I wouldn't put him out in the garden unless he wanted to go out, but since the beginning of this summer he loves staying outside in his kennel all day until I get home. He just seems to snooze all day! I bring him for a little walk in a local forest at weekends.

It's a big commitment but worth every bit of the love and loyalty he brings to my life.

D3V!L

We have a dachshund cross and recently he's been spending a lot more time in his crate. My oh is gone back to college and I'm around the house only occasionally even though I'm on a temporary break from work, returning hopefully soon.

So far as I type this he's in his crate since 9 this morning in the house. Likely to be for another 2 hours until I get home and walk him.

What do people think of this ? He's 11 months old now.

The Mighty Beard

Hi RM,

Myself and my wife have a dog and both work full time. Owning a dog with both people working full time can be a challenge. We are in the fortunate position that both of us can work from home (when we want) so she is never left alone and if she is, it's not more than 4 or so hours. I was also able to drop her in doggy day care twice a week to keep her socialised but they moved eventually. It can be a great option if it's available to you.

To be honest, I don't know how we would get by if we couldn't work from home! We live in a Dublin commuter town so have no family close by that we could leave her with or even call in to check up on. This is something that you should consider also. If you have people close by that can help, that's a huge bonus.

I or my wife walk our dog in the morning before leaving for work and again in the evening when I get home and we try to be as strict as possible no matter the weather. It wouldn't be fair that she didn't get her exercise and sniffing because we couldn't be ar**d.

A few things to consider also regarding the breed. If you are considering a large or giant breed dog, keep in mind that not all kennels will accept your dog. We learnt that the hard way. We won't put her in any kennel that looks run down or anywhere that might cause her stress. That can leave you limited in places that will take your dog. Our dog is an American Akita and just the name alone will have some kennels blank you immediately.

A dog that sheds or blows it's coat can also be very time consuming and something that can be overlooked. The grooming has to be done (again, depending on the breed) as well as the walking and playing and general attention they need.

Unexpected vet visits are something that are another thing especially in the first few years as we also found out. I grew up with mostly cross breeds and they rarely if ever needed to go to the vet. A pure breed is an entirely different animal in our experience anyway.

In saying all of that, if you want a dog so much, you will make it work. It can be difficult at first but with a bit of adjustment and effort it can work. I think the first few years are the most difficult but they are when you lay the foundations to a confident happy dog that is happy to be on it's own.

With all the effort it takes to keep our furbaby, it's worth every minute. The love an laughs you get out of them is amazing. Can turn a sh***y day around when your dog nearly knocks your house over with excitement ..........................just because you came home :-)

DBB

D3V!L wrote: »

We have a dachshund cross and recently he's been spending a lot more time in his crate. My oh is gone back to college and I'm around the house only occasionally even though I'm on a temporary break from work, returning hopefully soon.

So far as I type this he's in his crate since 9 this morning in the house. Likely to be for another 2 hours until I get home and walk him.

What do people think of this ? He's 11 months old now.

So, you're talking about 6 hours unsupervised in a crate?
Way too long for a dog of any age D3V!L... Sorry
Crates are meant to be a management tool, used for short periods of containment whilst the owner can't supervise, or at least be about to hear any signs of distress. Anything more than a couple of hours for an adult dog is getting into the realms of abusing what the crate is for.
If he must be contained, have you considered getting a playpen instead? At least he'd have some room to move about and play with the interactive toys and chews I assume you're leaving him with, and critically, if he absolutely must go to the toilet, he can, because you can leave newspaper/pee pads down for him in the pen. Not ideal by any means, but a sight better than confining him to a crate for such long periods.

Zapperzy

We have 2 cats that are left alone for 8 or 9 hours a day, only give them access to the hallways and 3 bedrooms downstairs when we're away. They sleep the majority of the day anyways and get plenty of attention in the evening.

If it's a new house your after moving into keep future pets in mind when buying furniture. We have leather chairs that have a few marks on them despite keeping their claws clipped and no unsupervised access to them. My old cat had the doors in my homehouse destroyed too, she hated closed doors and used to jump up at the handle to open them. Cat trees limit damage but cats will still be cats and unintentionally still do some damage.

Zubeneschamali

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

This.

I got a flat "No, you can't adopt a dog" from rescue centres.

Surely people will just tell them what they want to hear, they aren't an official body or anything it's not like they can check up on people to see if they are telling the truth.

Fakediamond

Alora Crashing Fuzz wrote: »

Surely people will just tell them what they want to hear, they aren't an official body or anything it's not like they can check up on people to see if they are telling the truth.

They will do a home check. The pounds might not, but then it's "pot luck" and you could end up with a dog with serious health or behavioural problems. I got my dog from the pound for the price of a dog licence, but he cost me 200 euro in his first week home because he had a serious virus brewing when I got him, unbeknownst to me, or the pound, presumably. He was worth every penny but not everyone might agree, or have the money to pay the vet bills.

Choc Chip

In fairness, in my experience it's not that rescues don't want to rehome dogs, they're just trying to do their best for the dog and make sure both owner and dog are happy together. I sometimes foster for a rescue and there are regular emails looking for dogs who would be ok up to 8 hours a day, the reality is that there just aren't that many of these dogs around, and the ones that could be ok in that situation are the older ones that are less desirable.

I suppose my point is that there isn't much point lying to a rescue. There are exceptions, but generally they aren't withholding dogs for no reason.

Fakediamond

Fakediamond wrote: »

They will do a home check. The pounds might not, but then it's "pot luck" and you could end up with a dog with serious health or behavioural problems. I got my dog from the pound for the price of a dog licence, but he cost me 200 euro in his first week home because he had a serious virus brewing when I got him, unbeknownst to me, or the pound, presumably. He was worth every penny but not everyone might agree, or have the money to pay the vet bills.

I get they might do a home check but that's not going to tell them that a person actually works full time when they have said they are actually around or that they plan on keeping the dog in a nice outdoor kennel or shed rather than in the house if they just say they plan on keeping it in the house etc.

Just asking as I see it said regularly that rescues won't rehome for this or that reason when in reality there isn't anything to stop people just lying to them.

DBB

People do lie. No doubt about it. Many T+Cs that rescues implement are there precisely because they have been lied to in the past.
But the home check process minimises it, and the longer you work in rescue, the better you get at sussing out people's true intentions and motivations.
Not only that, but with follow-up checks, and the one degree of separation that exists in Ireland, it's hard enough to get away with lying, as long as the rescue is on top of things.

Knine

They also lie when buying puppies! I'm worse then the FBI checking out potential new owners.

rannerap

My partner and I have 2 cats and we work full time, they dont mind being left at all. They just sleep the day away!

hardCopy

We've a two year old dog that we got as a pup. He's on his own from 8:30 to 5 every day in a secure back garden with a good kennel. He went through a destructive phase as a pup where he chewed through satellite cables, pulled down a hedge and dug a few holes in the lawn, thankfully he grew out of these himself, I'm not sure how we would have stopped him otherwise.

He gets plenty of exercise through walking and jogging and usually a dog park or beach trip at the weekend. Any time I sneak home during the day I find him asleep in his kennel or under a hedge. He runs out the back door every morning. His evenings are spent inside with us and he sleeps in a crate in the kitchen.

Our guy has a lot of energy and is very difficult to walk, running is the only thing that tires him out properly.

Ashbx

Choc Chip wrote: »

In fairness, in my experience it's not that rescues don't want to rehome dogs, they're just trying to do their best for the dog and make sure both owner and dog are happy together. I sometimes foster for a rescue and there are regular emails looking for dogs who would be ok up to 8 hours a day, the reality is that there just aren't that many of these dogs around, and the ones that could be ok in that situation are the older ones that are less desirable.

I suppose my point is that there isn't much point lying to a rescue. There are exceptions, but generally they aren't withholding dogs for no reason.

While I agree they don't withhold dogs for no reason. I got turned down a dog from a major rescue on the basis that my boyfriend didnt seem "enthusiastic enough" to get a dog. It was a pathetic excuse. I had met the dog, they had done a home check and as I lived with another couple at the time, they wanted that couple to meet the dog too which I arranged. It was when my boyfriend went to meet the dog they claimed he wasn't enthusiastic enough and didn't think the dog was the "right fit" for me.

I don't know what their real reason was (because I am not accepting the boyfriend isn't enthusiastic excuse) but this just led me to believe how difficult rescues can be sometimes.

I got a puppy later that year and four years later got a rescue collie (from another rescue centre) to add to my doggy family. I still think about that dog and think definitely in that instance, they were very harsh. Ah well, their (and the poor dogs) loss!

Sorry, going slightly off topic on the thread there!

tk123

Somebody I know was turned down because they 'weren't ready for a terrier breed' and didn't want a lurcher which the rescue was pushing because they'd be travelling home a lot around farmland where they didn't think a lurcher would be welcome. Now they had the ideal setup - dog would go to work with the OH so never on it's own but were turned down. Again they ended up buying a pup!

hardCopy

Ashbx wrote: »

While I agree they don't withhold dogs for no reason. I got turned down a dog from a major rescue on the basis that my boyfriend didnt seem "enthusiastic enough" to get a dog. It was a pathetic excuse. I had met the dog, they had done a home check and as I lived with another couple at the time, they wanted that couple to meet the dog too which I arranged. It was when my boyfriend went to meet the dog they claimed he wasn't enthusiastic enough and didn't think the dog was the "right fit" for me.

I don't know what their real reason was (because I am not accepting the boyfriend isn't enthusiastic excuse) but this just led me to believe how difficult rescues can be sometimes.

I got a puppy later that year and four years later got a rescue collie (from another rescue centre) to add to my doggy family. I still think about that dog and think definitely in that instance, they were very harsh. Ah well, their (and the poor dogs) loss!

Sorry, going slightly off topic on the thread there!

tk123 wrote: »

Somebody I know was turned down because they 'weren't ready for a terrier breed' and didn't want a lurcher which the rescue was pushing because they'd be travelling home a lot around farmland where they didn't think a lurcher would be welcome. Now they had the ideal setup - dog would go to work with the OH so never on it's own but were turned down. Again they ended up buying a pup!

We also bought our pup, based on experiences of colleagues and stories online of people being turned down because they work. I find the constant reminders to rescue rather than buy to be very annoying.

Walter H Price

hardCopy wrote: »

We also bought our pup, based on experiences of colleagues and stories online of people being turned down because they work. I find the constant reminders to rescue rather than buy to be very annoying.

I think the adopt dont shop message is an important one , most shelters are deperate to rehome animals in their care but if they dont think your suitable they wont and if their assement is that your not suitable , then you probibly shouldnt just go elsewhere , bare in mind they are only working in the best intrest of the animal. i know from experience both people working full time is a major red flag for rehoming pups and young dogs because they are not suitable homes.

The post where the boyfriend was not enthusiatic enough , seems harsh but ive done assements where its evident that one person in a couple wants a pet but the other clearly dosn't , again that can raise a flag .

hardCopy

Walter H Price wrote: »

I think the adopt dont shop message is an important one , most shelters are deperate to rehome animals in their care but if they dont think your suitable they wont and if their assement is that your not suitable , then you probibly shouldnt just go elsewhere , bare in mind they are only working in the best intrest of the animal. i know from experience both people working full time is a major red flag for rehoming pups and young dogs because they are not suitable homes.

They may think their policy is helpful, but the reality is that people have jobs and want dogs, they're just pushing people onto DoneDeal.

tk123

Walter H Price wrote: »

I think the adopt dont shop message is an important one.

Adopt don't shop suggests that every dog who's bought is killing a shelter dog or will end up in a shelter which isn't the case. People will wait years for a pup from the right breeder. Rescue if you want but it's also ok to do your research, find a brilliant breeder and buy a healthy pup if that's what you'd prefer. A reputable breeder will quiz people too and turn them away if they're not happy - my girl's breeder turned a good few people away - funnily enough one for not being ar$ed about even seeing the pup - guy stayed in the car while his OH went in to see them! :eek: How could you not want to see 10 puppies!?!?!?! She sent them packing along with another who let slip the pup would be kept outside.

Adopt don't shop should be teach don't preach imo - promote responsible ownership and accept that some people want to buy a pup for whatever their reasons are. Promote sourcing good responsible breeders and indeed good responsible rescues because there are dodgy ones out there.. rather than making people feel they're doing something wrong.

Choc Chip

Ashbx wrote: »

While I agree they don't withhold dogs for no reason. I got turned down a dog from a major rescue on the basis that my boyfriend didnt seem "enthusiastic enough" to get a dog. It was a pathetic excuse. I had met the dog, they had done a home check and as I lived with another couple at the time, they wanted that couple to meet the dog too which I arranged. It was when my boyfriend went to meet the dog they claimed he wasn't enthusiastic enough and didn't think the dog was the "right fit" for me.

I don't know what their real reason was (because I am not accepting the boyfriend isn't enthusiastic excuse) but this just led me to believe how difficult rescues can be sometimes.

I got a puppy later that year and four years later got a rescue collie (from another rescue centre) to add to my doggy family. I still think about that dog and think definitely in that instance, they were very harsh. Ah well, their (and the poor dogs) loss!

Sorry, going slightly off topic on the thread there!

I'm going to try and steer us back.

I totally accept that not all rescues are easy to deal with. In fact, even among good rescues, there can be individuals that aren't easy to deal with. I think that's the nature of relying on volunteers - it's harder to enforce a consistent policy when the people involved aren't employees.

The point of my post (which I don't think was totally clear, oops!) was that the OP shouldn't be put off by stories of bad experiences with rescues. There are decent rescues out there/ decent people in rescue and there are rescues who will do their best to find you a dog who is ok with staying at home all day. It might be a long wait, but (in my opinion) it's better than buying a puppy if it must be left at home all day.

Choc Chip

tk123 wrote: »

Adopt don't shop suggests that every dog who's bought is killing a shelter dog or will end up in a shelter which isn't the case. People will wait years for a pup from the right breeder....

Adopt don't shop should be teach don't preach imo - promote responsible ownership and accept that some people want to buy a pup for whatever their reasons are. Promote sourcing good responsible breeders and indeed good responsible rescues because there are dodgy ones out there.. rather than making people feel they're doing something wrong.

I agree with your second point TK. I think it's important for people to breed to continue breeds and to breed good working dogs/ family pets.

However, from the small sample size of my own experience, I think that you're in the minority being willing to wait years for a pup from a breeder of your choice. The number of designer crosses I meet in people's houses/ puppy classes/daycare depresses me. I don't think these people are willing to (i) research breeders or (ii) pay money for quality pups.

I don't know what the solution is. I don't think we should be doing one versus the other - I think the slogans just get people's backs up. Ideally, I'd like if we could say that:
1. If you want a dog with minimal hassle (research) and cost then adopt.
2. If you are willing to put far more time and money into researching then find a responsible breeder and buy a puppy, but be aware of the time and attention a puppy will require.

Or, to avoid going any further down the rabbit hole, get a cat OP....

Walter H Price

hardCopy wrote: »

They may think their policy is helpful, but the reality is that people have jobs and want dogs, they're just pushing people onto DoneDeal.

I often find there is a huge gulf in terms of what people want vs what is best for the animal , they are not things there living creatures , if two people are working full time its not a good environment for a single pup or young dog where it will spend 8-10 hours a day alone.

Most shelters will allow you adopt 2 if your working full time (to keep each other company) or may have older dogs more suited to that type of lifestyle.

As i said shelters are not shops there not there to satisfy your want for a dog , they have a duty of care to ensure then animal is re-homed in a suitable and loving home.

I absolutely commend the OP for coming on here and really thinking about the commitment before looking to adopt , many people are just petulant and immature when it comes to getting pets and sadly that's why so many end up abandoned or worse.

hardCopy

Walter H Price wrote: »

I often find there is a huge gulf in terms of what people want vs what is best for the animal , they are not things there living creatures , if two people are working full time its not a good environment for a single pup or young dog where it will spend 8-10 hours a day alone.

Most shelters will allow you adopt 2 if your working full time (to keep each other company) or may have older dogs more suited to that type of lifestyle.

As i said shelters are not shops there not there to satisfy your want for a dog , they have a duty of care to ensure then animal is re-homed in a suitable and loving home.

I absolutely commend the OP for coming on here and really thinking about the commitment before looking to adopt , many people are just petulant and immature when it comes to getting pets and sadly that's why so many end up abandoned or worse.

This kind of judgmental arrogance puts people off dealing with rescues. There are plenty of well loved happy dogs living with working people.

Shenshen

Alora Crashing Fuzz wrote: »

I get they might do a home check but that's not going to tell them that a person actually works full time when they have said they are actually around or that they plan on keeping the dog in a nice outdoor kennel or shed rather than in the house if they just say they plan on keeping it in the house etc.

Just asking as I see it said regularly that rescues won't rehome for this or that reason when in reality there isn't anything to stop people just lying to them.

The rescue I work with will not only do a home check, but will also call round once or twice in the first few years of you having adopted a pet. They're quite keyed in to the local community and would most likely spot any such goings-on fairly quickly.

Shenshen

hardCopy wrote: »

This kind of judgmental arrogance puts people off dealing with rescues. There are plenty of well loved happy dogs living with working people.

And there's many neglected dogs living with people who don't work. What regulations would you suggest rescues follow in order to ensure the best possible life for the dogs in their care?

hardCopy

Shenshen wrote: »

And there's many neglected dogs living with people who don't work. What regulations would you suggest rescues follow in order to ensure the best possible life for the dogs in their care?

Use whatever regulations they want, just stop preaching about not buying dogs if they won't actually give dogs to people who want to rehome them.