Dog from the pound/ RSPCA??

[mrsmac]

My SIL rescues dogs and she has had 3 gorgeous pets who have been rescue dogs. She belongs to a group which rescue dogs from the pound before they are put down and then tries to rehome them.

[Peach*]

Thanks Girls,
MrsMac- My dad mentioned recently he met a girl who did that, I should get her details I think.

Lissy- We looked at coombabah shelter, they are at full capacity atm. So sad, there are so many beautiful looking cats there too, I wish I could save them all.

[YoYo]

IMO this is the exact reason why buying puppies in pet shops should be banned......but that's another thread! GOOD LUCK xo

[MummyTummy]

I'm with you there MiniMax.... just before Christmas we were showing DS the puppies and kittens in the pet shop and I could see a couple picking out a puppy. That couple looked very nice and would probably care for thatpuppy for the rest of its life, but I still burst in to tears thinking about how many were going to end up in the pound or shelters in the next few months, and why couldn't they go and look for their puppy there..... DH understands, but couldn't believe I burst in to tears over it. I blame pg hormones making me more sensitive, but it still always gets me fired up!

[mrsmac]

Peach- My SIL has just moved from Cairns so would have contacts in QLD I can ask her if you like or get her to pop in here (she is on BB)

[Paddywhacks]

Hi Peach,
I'm Mrsmac's SIL and am quite involved with dog rescue.

I would recommend you go through a qualified and often breed specific dog rescue group.

As wonderful as it is rescuing/adopting straight from a pound, you really don't have a good idea on what the dog is like temperment wise. Dogs in pounds are incredibly stressed. It is a very frightening place for them, they feel overwhelmed at being in a cage and wondering where their 'owners' are. This plays a part in how they 'perform' when they have a behaviour test when ready to go up for adoption.

When you have a baby or small children, their saftey obviously comes first. Thats why I recommend a rescue group. They pull these dogs from the pound where they go into foster care. They are loved, fed , played with, socialised with other dogs, tested with children of all ages and are made to feel safe. This is where the dog's personality trully shows and foster carers are able to assess the individual dogs and what kind of home they are best suited to.

Foster careres are amazing people who give up so much to ensure these deserving dogs have a wonderful chance at a forever home. With this in mind they are very careful who they rehome their dogs to. They will come to your home and do a yard check, making sure that the fencing is secure and generally see where the dog will sleep, what your intentions are eg, training, exercise, will the dog be inside/ outside or both. They will also observe you interacting with the dog. They are not trying to 'find faults' with you and your family. They are simply trying to find the best home for the dog that has had such a hard time and stuck in a pound.

Rescue groups are also willing to take the dog back if things dont work out. This can happen through no fault of your own or the dogs. This prevents the dog ending back up in the pound. Rescue groups are supportive and give lots of advice and are 'on call' for any problems or questions you may have.

All dogs are registered, microchipped and desexed prior to adoption so the fee you pay for the dog covers all of the above.

It's a very rewarding experience and gives a wonderful dog a chance at a wonderful home.

PetRescue - find your new best friend! is a website that has hundreds of dogs and other animals up for adoption. Most reputable dog rescues show their dogs on this site and is very easy to navigate.

Good luck with your choice.Thank you for not supporting backyard breeders and petshops as they are why the pounds are so full with dog and cats.

[Peach*]

Paddywacks- Thank you so much for all that info, that site is awesome. If only we could have ferrets and rabbits in qld! So many gorgeous aminals on there

And completely agree about the pet shops. There is a lady who sells puppies every weekend at our local market, unvaccinated and not wormed gggrrr.

[YoYo]

I would recommend you go through a qualified and often breed specific dog rescue group.

Paddywhacks you reminded me.....I am quite involved in Aus with Old English Sheepdogs (being my breed of choice) and my sister with Weimaraners. Within 'clubs' created through the Canine association within your state, you can contact them and they may also have dogs/puppies available that need to find new homes due to unforseen circumstances such as moving away etc.

My sister has had 2 cases of Weims having to be rehomed for whatever reason and found people that wanted Weimaraners and they took them on. A happy ending for all