We all know they are doing their very best with limited funds and resources and are generally brilliant, dedicated people - but could some places do things better to achieve more successful adoptions?

different rehoming policies?? greater support??

What do you think?

I think every rescue organisation has to have the rehoming policy that they feel is the best for the dogs as they have a duty to those animals to make sure they are placed in the best possible homes. There are good and bad organsiations but in the main I think most have sensible rules that should only be changed in exceptional circumstances. I do however feel that some organsiations (non breed specifc)should work more closely with breed specific rescue organisations.I feel it would make looking for potential homes a lot easier as alot of breeds do need to have the right sort of home and experienced owners for that breed especially if the dogs have behavioural issues.

I do not think the smaller rescues could do more than they already do.Unpaid support is a great part of how they function and it is very difficult to sustain that on the limited funds coming in and time they have to run the rescues.

Hi, I recentlty rehomed an American bull dog from a well known animal shelter. He was not in public view. My husband and I offered informatiion about us like we were previous Bullmastiff owners. They explianed they had an American bulldog but he was for a special home/family as they did not want him in wrong hands. They allowed us to have him after rigourous home home check and full awareness of his deafness. They question marked kennel cough. I contacted them yesterday and explianed the cough was much worse. They arranged for their vet to see him today no questions asked. The service was very professional. We had a full power point presentation before we left with pup and full wellfare support including behavioural support life long. I am very happy with help and support so thumbs up dogs trust xx

Most do a good job, BUT when a breed rescue has more homes waiting than dogs needing a new home it is extremely stupid for a general rescue to refuse to allow the pedigree dogs to go to breed rescues and have a loving happy family home. The worst offender for acting like this is the RSPCA who told me their policy was not to work with breed rescues as they can offer the dog a wider selection of homes. Some breeds have to have owners who will understand them, other wise they often get sent back to the rescue. The RSPCA however still mistakenly think they know better than the breed rescues who understand the breeds they deal with. The breed rescues have far more knowledge and experience of their breeds and which potential owners are most likely to make good owners and offer the dogs a good forever home.

> The worst offender for acting like this is the RSPCA

That is sheer stupidity, as it would help relieve numbers, even if by a small amount. Contacted our local RSPCA last year on behalf of a friend when I heard they had a BH, as soon as they found out I had two, I was offered him 'over' the phone! He would have been much better cared for you as say by those who know & understand the breed.

I've just been reading old thread and postings!  I can see my posting may appear a bit suspicious! I'm not a media/spy/activist!  And I've filled out my profile and am happy to answer any questions about why I am asking about animal rescue organisations!!

I tried to re-home a dog from a well-known rescue organisation a couple of years ago and I never even got to the home check!  I was refused because I am a multi-dog household(and that's a bad thing?), I had kids and a cat.  This dog had no issues about any of these things but they wouldn't even come to my home!  I still think of that dog who so desparately needed someone who understood the breed and hope that he got decent owners.  Shocking!

The organisations who insist that resident dogs are neutered before homing a (neutered) rescue dog are denying many dogs a good forever home with responsible carers.

Jeangenie - I had to read your post three times to make sure I was understanding it correctly - not that you weren't clear but because I couldn't quite believe the stupidity of that policy!! What on earth is the rationale behind this?? Totally ridiculous!

> I've just been reading old thread and postings!  I can see my posting may appear a bit suspicious! I'm not a media/spy/activist!  And I've filled out my profile and am happy to answer any questions about why I am asking about animal rescue organisations!!

I have been and looked at your site. Do you look at dog rescues world wide? If so I know of people involved with rescue dogs in Spain. They go out and look for dogs which are hung from trees when they are no longer useful or the family cannot afford to keep them any longer. They could do with a lot of help.

As to the whole spy thing well since your name closely mimics a certain nickname and because certain media people have used and abused the responsible breeders on this forum we are naturally very suspicious these days. However my comments about the RSPCA are true I contacted them to ask about their policy as a member of the press when researching an article. I still have the email they sent in return stating this policy.

Unlike most media people who come here I am always open about my status and I always report fairly in my news articles.

BUT when a breed rescue has more homes waiting than dogs needing a new home it is extremely stupid for a general rescue to refuse to allow the pedigree dogs to go to breed rescues and have a loving happy family home.

Polly, I couldn't agree with you more... it is happening in my breed more and more. Pounds signs are winning over the dogs welfare... "Ooohhh fairly rare breed, we can get lots of money for one of these".... I am the rescue person for our breed and anyone who knows me will say how passionate I am about it. Like most other breed rescues I can travel the length and breadth of the country picking dogs up... I have a long waiting list of homechecked people and rescue centres just will not play ball.

I have one case at the moment, and the manager for the Centre was obnoxious.... the dog has now been there months and they want me to pass my people on to them as the dog is to be homed for now less than £150 !! I won't do this, as I have not assessed the dog for suitablilty etc and that is what we as a club always do prior to rehoming...
This really is my big bug bear and I get fed up of hearing how full rescue centres are.... work with breed rescue and they might free up some kennel space !!!

Back to lurking....
Gabrielle

> I was refused because I am a multi-dog household(and that's a bad thing?),

This happened to a friend of mine when we discovered that a young dog sired by her dog was in a Rescue kennels. 

They patently didn't understand him, attributed incorrect interpretations to his interactions with them, but didn't think multi dogs homes were suitable.

She left the centre upset, leaving them with her contact details, and did hear from his new owners who were clueless about dog and the breed.

Hi Polly

Nice to hear from you.

Although I work internationally, the project I am working on currently is in regard to UK only. I work in Spain (and Portugal where similar things happen) quite a bit and I appreciate the struggle they have there.

I'm well versed with the policies of the RSPCA (and others) having worked for them for many years and I appreciate from personal experience, the feedback I have had in my Rescue Reviews, emails and forum postings that 'set policies' are a real issue.  I have numerous reports (in the space of two weeks) that mis-understood or unaccepted policy not only put people off the shelter/organisation they visited - but also the concept of 'rescue' which then reflects on the giving of financial or moral support etc.

I must add however, that I am really pleased with the number of positive reviews I have received and comments describing excellent service, support and education given - even if an adoption does not take place.
 
The aim of my project is to collate this information as an aid to improve standards in animal rehoming shelters and within adoption organisations in the UK in order to increase successful adoptions and reduce the number visitors going elsewhere (puppy farm etc) to obtain a pet.

In case anyone is reading this out of context, I am absolutely not after attacks or 'name and shame' reviews but either constructive criticism or the highlighting of excellent service.

Another reason the RSPCA is losing millions of pounds is that it's overall policies are very wrong. It has upset almost everyone involved in all areas of animal ownership because it appears to have a PETA agenda at best and an holier than thou at worst, plus they are selective about what they are willing to rescue and what they are willing to support such as puppy farms. For example they say there is nothing they can do about puppy farms as long as the dogs have water, but have you seen any of the dogs kept in puppy farms??? They have matted coats no socialisation poor breeding and rearing conditions to mention just a few problems. I am sure Marc Abrahams of the PetNet would be more than happy to help you with information about puppy farms and I have personal experience of  a case which they refused to help with even though there were dead dogs in stables with live puppies, and my son in law who is a veterinary surgeon was willing to give evidence against the puppy farmer, but thankfully the Kennel Club gave me advice that helped to shut the place down.

Also responsible breeders are sick to back teeth with the RSPCA and other rescues blaming us for the huge amount of unwanted pets in rescue, most of which are crossbreds or the poor staffordshire bull terriers and staff type terriers which are being bred by back yard breeders to make money. Responsible breeders check and double check everything they can before their puppy leaves them to go to their new homes.

If the rescues want help they must look at their policies and they must realise the people who have given them the most help and support in the past are responsible breeders, breed rescues and caring owners who they now will not work with and they damn responsible breeders and breed rescues at every opportunity. Sorry but they only have themselves to blame!

>I couldn't quite believe the stupidity of that policy!! What on earth is the rationale behind this?? Totally ridiculous!

It's insame, isn't it? It means that anyone who shows their dogs is considered unsuitable to adopt a rescue dog and give it a fantastic home. No, better it languishes in kennels than that.

I think it goes beyond insane!! The only rationale I can come up with is to avoid placing a rescue dog with someone who breeds irresponsibly. However, as you say, by having this blanket policy it excludes some of the best imaginable homes.

Surely, no blanket policies are the best way forward. Ensuring a full history is taken...a home visit...asking the right questions..providing the right support is the only way to ensure these rescues are placed in the right home for them.

Hi again. Just to clarify - the project mentioned in my earlier thread (Rescue Review) is in no way related to the RSPCA.  It is independent research.  I am not an employee of the RSPCA.

I do carry out training for RSPCA International on a freelance basis - as I do for all other animal welfare organisations.

Thank you very much to all those who have submitted reviews.  I vet/verify each review (as necessary) before it is published so apologies if yours is not posted straight away!

Hi Miranda

Just out of interest where is the funding coming from for the Project and once you have completed the reveiw how are you going to publish and communcaite the results to rescues organisations and will any funding be available to the smaller rescues to help implement the suggested changes ?

Lucy

Hi Lucy

I am financing the project. The year's supply of pet food has kindly been donated by JWB.

I will analyse the reviews and feed back relevant points to the shelter/rescue involved.  I'm not making any product or service recommendations.  I'm purely feeding back the information and it will be up to the individual shelters to make their decisions on how or whether they implement changes. reward excellence etc.

There may be a financial implication ie resolving a sign issue if people are unable to find the shelter OR there may be no cost - but a policy or SOP modification ie rehoming policy/cleaning procedure.

This project is work in progress. I am planning on re-writing the review form so that it has greater use to the shelters based on feedback received in the two weeks since going live.  If you have any suggestions or feedback, please let me know.

m.

> Just to clarify - the project mentioned in my earlier thread (Rescue Review) is in no way related to the RSPCA.  It is independent research.  I am not an employee of the RSPCA.

I never thought you were employed by the RSPCA but I mentioned the RSPCA as a typical general large rescue who constantly appeal for funds, condemn the very people who would normally have supported them and then refuse to work with the breed rescues. This is where rescues do need to sort out their policies.

As a responsible breeder I would be livid if one of my puppies ended up in a rescue and they would not let me re-home it or help to re-home the dog.

I think the list is pretty short any of us here could list the reasons the rescues are overflowing, my list would definitely be:
Rescue policies
1) not allowing breed rescues to take a pedigree dog on for re-homing
2) not allowing somebody with one or two dogs of the same breed to take one in from the rescue
3) not allowing a dog into a home where the owner shows or works their dog/dogs
4) not allowing a rescue to go to a home where there are entire dogs and bitches when the dog to be re-homed is   
    not entire.
5) the general media stirring up anti dog sentiments
6) dog bite statistics (which are not 100% truthful) being quoted left right and centre usually by general media
7) back yard breeders and puppy farmers churning out puppies for money (given a huge boost to business by the
    media after a certain TV programme in 2008)
8) rescues asking too high a price for a pedigree dog (are they out to make money from pedigrees? If so "pot and 
    kettle" spring to mind)
9 ) rather than putting a pedigree dog to sleep why not pass it to a breed rescue? (This happened recently, I can
     only assume the rescue concerned wanted to make money out of this dog and when it did not, they didn't
     want breed rescue to have it and make money from it, even though the majority of breed rescues only ask for
     a token payment which they use to pay vets bills etc)
10) They re-home some dogs irresponsibly, so it keeps getting returned or in the worst cases it gets put to sleep   
      but the rescue is absolved of all blame.

This last one is mentioned because as a dog trainer at a local dog club I have seen a number of pedigree and none pedigree dogs re-homed locally that have severe temperament problems, like the golden cocker from a puppy farm with rage syndrome, the owner is having a terrible time trying to control this dog, (and sorry to say most have come from the local RSPCA not the other local dog rescue).

> The only rationale I can come up with is to avoid placing a rescue dog with someone who breeds irresponsibly.

but if the rescue is already neutered the reproductive status of the adopters other dogs are irrelevant, and I can only assume they are trying to make a moral judgement that keeping dogs entire and breeding are unacceptable.

And that seems a bit PETA-esque to me.

When I was looking for a companion for Maisie, a local branch of the RSPCA arranged for me to have a dog who they said was Ok with cats.  Actually she wanted to kill them!  I have never given up on an animal in my life but with a heavy heart and many tears I had to return her to a foster place they had arranged - poor little thing but I had to think of the safety of my other animals.  This should never have happened and of course they relieved my bank account of £75 into the bargain.  Not impressed.

I'm sorry to hear about your experience.  Were you given any explanations?  Were you offered your payment back or help to find another dog? Did you adopt another dog from somewhere else?

I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but all this sort of information is interesting to determine/highlight how service can be improved.

A few years ago now I was hunting through the DT website at the London branch and found an Elkhound being advertised, it flumoxed me that one it was there and 2 it wasn't with breed rescue. I actually made a call to I believe a person who ran or dealt with Elkhound breed rescue to tell him about the dog, they had no idea and no one from DT had called them to advise... I have no idea what ever happened to the dog, I don't even know if its the same one you mention Brainless... But I hope to god he found a good home..

I have had two dogs from the DT and I do find them to be quite dismissive of breed rescues and I don't think they always match the right dog to the right owner from conversations I have had with other people who have got dogs from that rescue.

I am rather loathe to put too much in writing as I don't want to risk saying the wrong thing to the wrong person when I have two of their dogs - the intentions are good but, to my mind, things are not always thought out too well.

Not only won't they deal with breed rescue but they are totally anti breeder. 

They label breeders as all irresponsible but won't allow responsible breeders to discharge their responsibilities, most don't even attempt to contact a breeder when know. 

OK maybe most of them they have coem into contact with are not good breeders as one would hope the surrendering person would have tried there first, but often dogs get moved on without the 'responsible' breeder being informed..

I agree Barbara - and if you adopt a dog they won't give you the details of the breeder so you can contact them yourself - a 9 week old puppy handed into rescue with KC papers and the response from the rescue when asked to let the breeder know was that they wouldn't have anything to do with breeders of purebred dogs - all tarred with the same brush. The papers weren't handed over when the puppy was rehomed and all requests to find out details were met with a very negative response despite explaining why the details were being requested.

It wasn't a case of getting more money for a pedigree dog - the adoption fee is the same for any dog whatever it's breed - so I really can't understand why the breeder couldn't be given the chance to be  notified that one of their pups had been handed in.

Some seem to have very strange homecheck 'matching' policies
2 dogs both rehomed from wood green to different people.
1st example
neighbours had first dog from WG, when that died from old age they got another.......
difference being 1st dog - wife worked 3 hrs a day and older daughter was in school.......2nd dog - wife worked full time and daughter was away in college so dog was left for 8 or 9 hrs per day 5 days a week. the couple told wood green that things were still 'more or less' the same so came home with dog :-(
2nd example
8 week old 3/4 border collie cross homed to elderly lady with fairly major mobility problems....... :-(
Chris

We had the same situation as other breed rescues last year. We found out that a Swedish Vallhund was in Bath Cats and Dog home. He was described as very nervous, which at just 7 months I could understand. They had also had him neutered, which in this breed at such a young age would not have helped with the nervousness!

We made a number of phone calls to them, in fact in the end they got quite shirty with us. When offered breed help we were told in no uncertain terms that their behaviour experts were quite capable in dealing with his issues!

I managed to find out from them that a number of people had shown interest in him, including a couple already in the breed who do agility and take part in KC Good Citizen demos with their 2 Vallhunds and enter the gamekeeper classes at Discover Dogs with their Labs. They were deemed unsuitable as they had too many dogs!!

We don't know where he ended up, even though we asked for the club details to be passed on to his new owners.

> Not only won't they deal with breed rescue but they are totally anti breeder. 
>
> They label breeders as all irresponsible but won't allow responsible breeders to discharge their responsibilities, most don't even attempt to contact a breeder when know. 
>
> OK maybe most of them they have coem into contact with are not good breeders as one would hope the surrendering person would have tried there first, but often dogs get moved on without the 'responsible' breeder being informed..

I had a similar experience, a flatcoated retriever was given to a local rescue home, the owner never bothered to contact the breeder but luckily for him one of the girls at the kennel knew me as I had given food and puppy milk to the rescue. She contacted me and we worked out who the breeder was, as she 'mislaid' the dogs vaccination papers for me. I applied to have the dog but was told I lived too far away and had already got a couple of dogs. I lived about 15 miles from the rescue.

I informed the breed rescue and the rescue officials would not allow the breed rescue to help, and a lady they sent along was asked if she had been sent by breed rescue? When she said that was how she found out the dog was there, they said she could not have it either. The breeder had already applied to take the dog back and was told they had a policy of never returning dogs to the breeder.

Eventually we found a way to get this flatcoat from the rescue.... and at this point bear in mind I lived 15 miles away....
A friend of mine was looking for a second flatcoat, he was a policeman in Windsor over an hour away, he applied and they let him have the dog as he only had one other dog, another flatcoat, and they felt that as a policeman he would look after the dog better than anyone else.

I prefer to find out what food is being fed and what puppy milk is used and donate that rather than give money, that way I know it can't be used for a political campaign against responsible breeders.

Why is that resuce organisations are so unhelpful when it comes to breed rescues, it doesn't make sense, when surely it is the best for the dog?

A rational person would have thought so. If rescues are so pushed for space you'd think they'd be grateful for any help they could get. The only explanation is that politics are more important than real animals.

I think some rescues really need to rethink there adoption policy! When I first movd out of home 8 years ago at 20, I had 2 cats which where rescues in a sence as there fate would have been to be destroyed (they wernt from a rescue though) but I never grew up with cats although I love mine with all my heart. I wanted a dog went to the local RSPCA and 2 other organsisation (once I had my landlords permission) and was turned down without even having a conversation with anyone I simply got as far as filling in a form! there reason was that I lived in a flat! I sure the one dog at the RSPCA I was intrested in was destroyed, (they told me that he would be destroyed in no home could be found in the next 2 days and being 7 he was unlikey!) all because I lived in a flat! Yet the local pound were happy to hand me 2 dogs at once (brother and sister) and 2 years later another boy! My home may not have been buckingham palace but it was more than big enough and comfortable enough to offer a home to a dog esspecially one that was likely to be destroyed because he was not young enough! Im not saying everyone who lives in a flat should be allowed a dog but I took m dogs out for 6 walks aday (4 short between work 2 long before and after). my dogs wanted for nothing were vaccionated neutered and as much food as they could eat! What more could a dog want? I think there should be a more indept look into people who live in flat rather than just being told no!Ok I have a lovely 2 bedroom house now with a small but surfice garden but there no better off here than in my old flat! only difference is they dont need a walk to use the bathroom! lol! but I dont think dogs should be destroyed just because the only person intresed lives in a flat!

> Why is that resuce organisations are so unhelpful when it comes to breed rescues, it doesn't make sense, when surely it is the best for the dog?

Breed rescues don't help themselves. The rescue I fostered for tried contacting a few breed rescues who didn't want to help because the dogs didn't have KC papers or they did but had been neutered so were no use for exploiting.

Last time I mentioned this on here breeders thought that it was right and I was told that I know nothing about breeds (as I don't show) and so what looks and behaves like a GSD probably isn't and without papers why should a breed rescue take it.

I'd never use a breed rescue, either to help with a rehome or to adopt a dog.

> The rescue I fostered for tried contacting a few breed rescues who didn't want to help because the dogs didn't have KC papers or they did but had been neutered so were no use for exploiting.
>

No breed rescue allows the dogs papers to go with them (unless it is a breeder re-homing themselves).

As for only taking dogs that are of the breed, yes that is correct.

In some breeds the rescue situation has become so dire (remember breed rescues are maintained entirely by breed enthusiasts and any donations from re-homers) that some are so over whelmed they will only take dogs that can be proved to be purebred.

For example the situation with Siberians is so dire and the number of true breed enthusiasts so outnumbered by those exploiting and cross breeding the breed that breed rescue have had to decide they can only help the KC reg dogs if they are to function at all, as they are swamped.

I don't know what the situation is with Staffie and GSD rescues as the breeds are far more numerous, and probably have far more genuine breed supporters that they can be more lenient with their breed rescue criteria.

General rescue also have criteria of what dogs they will take.  I have heard of Geographical limits and waiting lists to get dogs in.

Our breed is numerically small, and it is very rare that our breed rescue will get a KC registered dog, as breeders are expected to home their own (though rescue will help with vetted homes if they have no rescues in, and list the dogs available).  Most of our rescues have mickey mouse paper or none at all.

Mind you general rescues can be very bad at recognising breeds.  I fostered a bitch that Battersea identified as an Elkhound.  Rescue did not question the ID, only to find when they picked her up that she very obviously was not an Elkhound, but at most and Elkhound cross Siberian Husky.

The problem with homing her was she was not typical of any Elkhound in her behaviour, and would not have suited someone who specifically come to breed rescue as they wanted a typical Elkhound.  Otherwise they would have gone and taken pot luck with a general rescue.

You have to remember that as a charity breed rescues have a strict remit as homing that breed.  If they start to take every look alike as well they may well loose breed support (finances).  When I make donations to my breed rescue I expect them to be looking after our own.  I also donate to general rescue, but my allegiance is to my breed first.

>Mind you general rescues can be very bad at recognising breeds.

A general rescue once had a dog down as a cocker spaniel x dobermann. It was actually a Gordon Setter!

That's very funny! Although I must confess that once whilst registering a new client at a vet practice I was working at, I asked the owner what sort of cross it was to which she replied " Monty is NOT a cross!  He is a Polish Lowland Sheepdog!

Ooops!! In my defense - this was is the 1980"s and I'd never seen one before!

> As for only taking dogs that are of the breed, yes that is correct.

I don't think anyone disagrees with a breed rescue only taking that breed but refusing a KC registered dog because it's been neutered?

>> Mind you general rescues can be very bad at recognising breeds.

A friend of mine has a Bernese, looks and acts like one, KC registered and is a Bernese!! :-D She went to a fun show and was told by a top person in the RSPCA that it was a cross breed and no way a Bernese and that she had been conned
She got outta there pretty rapidly, only to hear that the man next to her with a Newf was told his was a cross breed!!!

Some breed rescues do work together. It has been mentioned before on another thread a Bernese and Newf were re-homed together, there is a picture, or was on the Bern GB site of them.

> refusing a KC registered dog because it's been neutered?

Can't see how that could happen with a breed rescue as they don't pass dogs papers on.

I have just gone on the DT website, many different breeds and crosses of.
Now some of the breeds stood out as not hugely popular and then you wonder about why they aren't in breed rescue..
Weim, Dalmation,German Wirehaired Pointer, Saint and a Harrier..I wonder if breed rescue know?

I have just gone on the DT website, many different breeds and crosses of.
Now some of the breeds stood out as not hugely popular and then you wonder about why they aren't in breed rescue..
Weim, Dalmation,German Wirehaired Pointer, Saint and a Harrier..I wonder if breed rescue know?

Yes they probably will know. I tried to help Admin a while back when the Blue Cross had a breed they are involved with and also with a few Labs that I have seen in their Head Office. The answer was no and that was it. I phone emailed them and went to see them but I was unable to persuade them to let me help re home them. Their answer was if you know that there is a good home get them to register with us and we will go through our process to see if they are suitable.I suppose that is fair enough but to speed the process up and make sure that the owners are really suitable for the breed then collaboration would be the best solution surely ? I wonder if the problem here is more to do with the that they are a charity and so deviating will go against the rules agreed by the Trustees.

It was the blue Cross that refused to deal with my friend who had the sire of the dog they had in, and deemed her unsuitable as a multi dog owner.

LJS,

Well I have contacted some of the breed clubs by email and with the responses I got back was for me to pass on their details to the DT to see if DT are interested in liaising with them... Wasn't expecting that response tbh, far from it..:-(

That is what I would expect. 

Our breed rescue have worked with dogs Trust, they have been happy to co-operate with breed rescue, but won't pass the dogs onto them directly. 

They will consider people passed onto them, and take advice and pass on rescue etc details for new owners.

LJS,

Well I have contacted some of the breed clubs by email and with the responses I got back was for me to pass on their details to the DT to see if DT are interested in liaising with them... Wasn't expecting that response tbh, far from it..

I would expect that they have already tried and failed  so perhaps that is where the apathy comes from.

There are several reasons for the attitude towards breed rescues but first and foremost is, I think, the snotty attitude shown by some breed rescues. The imperious "we know best" attitude can be extremely irritating when you are on the receiving end of it - as is the attitude towards dogs that may not be quite purebred or are an obvious cross. To general rescues, a dog is a dog and not judged by a pedigree and when breed rescues turn their nose up at a cross, especially ones that look very like the breed, it feels like doggie apartheid. In a breed where the breed rescue is not totally overwhelmed, I simply don't understand why they won't take a cross. I run a retriever rescue - mainly for crosses, although I do take the occasional purebred lab or setter - and I get 4 or 5 calls a week from people who thought they wanted a purebred flatcoat but have changed their mind when they see our retrievery mixes, many of which are lovely looking dogs. (Check out Flynn on Black Retriever X Rescue if you want to see just how gorgeous they can be).

I do agree that some specialised breeds may do much better routed through a dedicated breed rescue, but would also argue that the best general rescues understand individual dogs' needs very well and will also have an understanding of a particular breeds' needs, particularly the more common ones (because there are lots of pedigree dogs in rescue). I also find almost as much variety within breeds as I do between them in terms of temperament/activity levels etc, so in terms of home-matching, a good general rescue should be able to do a great job.

Jemima

A word in praise of Dogs Trust.. I was invited to Evesham Dogs Trust's summer show a couple of months ago and got the opportunity to talk to a lot of people who had adopted dogs through them. It was mainly collies/lurcher/staffie types. I was astonished at how involved these owners had remained with the Evesham staff (who seemed to remember all of the dogs by name); how much help had been given with behavioural problems  and also how many of the new owners were doing things with their dogs - obedience/flyball/agility - at the encouragement of Dogs Trust. Also impressive is their dog info/welfare video that all adopters have to watch, plus good accompanying literature.  I didn't expect to be so impressed, to be honest, but I really was.

Jemima

Jemima what rescues are you referring to as most breed rescues I know treat pedigree as well as crosses in exactly the same way. Have you examples of those breed rescues who have demonstrated the 'snotty' attitude ?

I would also say that all dogs whether pedigree or crosses are also assessed based on the individual dog rather than breed specific as we all know all breeds will have differing issues whether it be a pedigree or a cross so not sure what your 'argument' is against the breed specific rescues in that case ? I don't think we are questioning how dogs are assessed it is more about the overall knowledge of a specific breed of dog and how that in depth knowledge could only enhance the likelihood of getting a more suitable match to a new home if there was collaboration between breed rescues and general rescues. Perhaps the saying 'Jack of all trades but a master of none' may demonstrate the problem :-)