Hi, I have an 8 year old collie cross. I work and I am out 8.30 till 5, but I have a dog walker who visits for an hour every day to walk her. She is VERY spoilt and also gets walked in the morning and evening and unlimited love.

I am seriously thinking about getting another dog, and would love a beagle or bassett hound. However, I am not desperate for a 'cute' puppy and wonder if I could take on a rescue or unwanted dog (Preferably under 2 years old). Problem is because I work I dont think the rescue organisations would consider me? Any ideas?

I'm sure they'd carry out a homecheck. The general wellbeing of your current dog could count for alot and the fact you do have someone who checks in. Contact the rescue people anyway it can't hurt. Even though full time work isn't ideal for dog owners, different dogs have different needs and there may well be a rescue dog in need of a home exactly like the one you could offer.
Julie :)

Again, I will say I am a foster home for a rescue group in the States. We don't look at hours gone during the day, unless it is like 12 or 16 hours as long as the home is suitable and nuturing. We would also say no if you where gone for weekend trips alot and just left the dog to it's own devices and a doggy door.

But dogs from rescue are great dogs! Glad you look there first instead of a breader.

After being on this board a while, I've gained a strong impression that rescue groups in the US and UK really differ from one another. In the UK, requirements and considerations are about as stringent as adopting a human child in many places.
There's also a stronger belief about being absent during the week makes a home less acceptable.
I"m not saying one system/attitude is more superior than the other, just different :)

Tim, Perhaps you could look into an older dog who is more likely to sleep and rest more than a puppy or younger dog :) I adopted an 8 year old Yorkie and she was happy as a clam to be treated like a cat :) :D

I got her through Posting made on my Vet's bulletin Board. But that seems to be more common to US where most people advertise a dog needing a home than surrendering it automatically to a shelter or breed club. I see it in the local paper all of the time because of moving/allergies etc....
hth,
good luck,
toodles

Hi Eog,

Reading about your vet's bulletin board reminded me that our local SSPCA (RSPCA but in Scotland) do this. They have a folder with details/pictures of people wanting to rehome their dogs direct. You read about them and contact/deal with current owner direct. That might be a good idea for Tim to check with his locals shelters.

Hi Tim,

Another thing you could do is try phoning breed rescues and see what they say. I got a rescue Tibetan Terrier and the breed rescue co-ordinator said she wouldn't rehome a TT to anyone working full time but that's to do with the nature of a TT. It may not be the case with other breed rescues.

Another way is to try Adtrader/loot etc. There's often ads for people looking to rehome adult dogs.
I'm sure it goes without saying, but whatever you try, just make sure you ask/find out as much as possible about the dogs.
Good luck
Dot