Firstly, we are not a rehoming centre. Our organisation operates from the other end of the spectrum, attempting to address issues so that fewer dogs need to be rehomed.
We believe this gives us a useful perspective of being on the outside looking in, as the general public are.
And as we are not a rehoming organisation, people feel free to talk with us about issues they have experienced in their search for a new dog.
In fact, it’s surprising how many conversations start like this:
“Can you recommend where we can buy a puppy ?”
And we reply, “OK, firstly, specifically a puppy ? You’re not considering applying to rescue a dog ?”
And the reply is often, “We have done, but everyone says no, so we don’t think we have any choice.”
Rehoming centres quite rightly have procedures in place to hopefully protect dogs from being placed in unsuitable new homes.
But if one centre’s criteria don’t fit your specific circumstances, that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be accepted by another.
Here are some common examples of why applications are turned down. They don’t necessarily rule you out elsewhere.
WE DON’T HAVE A GARDEN
That actually doesn’t automatically rule you out. Dogs Trust, for example, will consider adoption applications from homes without a garden, provided suitable arrangements can be made for exercise and regular toilet breaks.
Mayhew also considers homes without gardens and rehomes throughout the UK. Some local RSPCA branches will consider this too. Acceptance depends on the dog’s needs and your circumstances.
WE HAVE A GARDEN BUT APPARENTLY OUR FENCES ARE NOT HIGH ENOUGH
Not every rescue requires six-foot fences. RSPCA Essex Mid & North, for example, says a normal secure boundary may be sufficient, depending on the dog. A dog known to jump, climb or escape may need higher fencing or additional precautions installed, but your current fence height won’t automatically rule out your application.
WE HAVE BEEN TURNED DOWN BECAUSE OF OUR AGE
Some rescues, including Jerry Green Dog Rescue and Woodgreen, have no upper age limit for adoption. They consider whether you can meet the needs of the particular dog, so being turned down because of your age by one organisation doesn’t mean you won’t be considered elsewhere.
WE HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN THAT VISIT
That doesn’t automatically rule you out. Some consider homes with children, though minimum ages differ between centres, provided the dog is suitable. The RSPCA also considers the children’s ages, their experience with dogs and the individual dog’s temperament, rather than automatically excluding all families with young children.
EXISTING PETS
Having other pets doesn’t automatically rule you out. The RSPCA considers whether the particular dog can live safely and happily with your existing animals, and may arrange introductions before adoption. Some dogs need to be the only pet, while others can live with dogs, cats or other animals.
WE LIVE TOO FAR AWAY TO APPLY
Some rescues restrict their rehoming area, but others accept applications from further afield. Mayhew, for example, rehomes throughout the UK. Check the organisation’s policy and whether you can attend the meetings.
DOG WORLD’S OPINION
1. It’s a numbers game—register applications in as many places as possible.
2. Don’t think that if the first two centres turn your application down that they all have the same criteria.
3. Don’t always take it personally. Being turned down can mean the dogs currently at a centre require a specific type of home, rather than the centre saying you are unsuitable to have any dog.
4. Applications are often made online, without a conversation, so you may not know why you were turned down. Email the centre, ask politely for them to explain, as understanding whether it’s their general criteria or the needs of a particular dog can help you decide where to try next.
5. Try to be more open-minded about the dog you are looking for. A dog’s particular traits and needs are more important for a compatible match, and being flexible will increase your chances.
6. In an ideal world, a rehoming centre would be willing to enter into conversations to see if an applicant’s circumstances could be improved, on a more case-by-case basis, rather than a general no. Though we have to appreciate they are often exceptionally busy, stretched and understaffed.
7. Consider fostering. We often hear, “But we wouldn’t want to give the dog back.” many fostering organisations allow you to apply to adopt your foster dog if the match works well. Ask about their policy before applying. Fosterers are in high demand, so considering fostering gives you another option to explore.
Also, we often hear people describing how rescuing a dog can mean there’s a lot of work to do with behaviour and training.
But many rehoming organisations provide considerable help with behaviour and training, often free through their own professional teams.
