I know a couple of members on CD are homecheckers for dog rescues and just wondered what experience or qualifications ( if any) are needed ?
I would love to be able to help out in some way and just wondered if anyone could offer any advice ??
lel

Hey up Lel,

Have I converted you ;)

All I did was to contact a Stafford rescue near me and then one slightly further afield. Explained I'd like to help homechecking/transport whatever and they snapped me up I think just talking to them is all they need they suss you out as genuine they asked about Staffords I'd owned their breeders etc I assume to make sure I was genuine;)

I passed because I've been doing it ever since but I warn you seriously,But when you see the dogs that need rehoming first.....it's hard Lel to walk away I have to fight with myself not to pick them up and take them home. I have been in tears a few times.

Rewarding but hard on the heart :D

Karen

It is the sort of thing I have longed to help out with for a while now and if it helps rehome just one dog into the right home for them then thats fantastic . :)
Other than personal knowledge and experiece of the breed is there anything else ?
I really do feel I should be doing something to help !
Thanks for replying Karen ;)
Lesley

No Nothing..AT ALL.

The rescues Stafford or otherwise need help just ask it worked for me ;)

Ring them up..................NOW

Karen

I'd be interested in helping out the FCR rescue but I work, shift work though; would they be interested?

liberty

why don't you ask them and see :-)

I don't want to look silly I always thought it was the type of thing you could do if you didn't work.

liberty

You won't look silly :rolleyes: but unless you ask, you'll never know ;-)

I work also but I am available for weekends and evenings .
As Admin says the worst that they can say is "no sorry we dont need help at present ". Liberty , Some animal organisations also need volunteers to collect jumble or pick up small pets .
I am definately going to ring - its better to offer than sit there saying "I wouldnt mind doing that ..." but never doing anything about it .And I have said that for quite a while now. Some organisations are desperate for ANY help no matter how limited .
Just thought you may have needed a particular type of experience.

Thanks Lel and Admin,

I suppose my problem is I can't guarentee times or days when I'm available, must talk to hubby about giving up work ;)

Anyway I've found a phone number so I think I'll give them a call.

liberty :)

Hi liberty,

I work shifts and sometimes weekends no regular pattern but I help, you'd be surprised how people's tonechanges when you offer to help, it's worth it just for that. I think thta's because they get so many people ringing with problems an offer of help is not what they expect when they answer the phone :D

Ring and offer I thought they wouldn't want me but I was wrong :) Every little helps :D

Karen

Hi Karen

Just to let you know, I called two FCR rescue folk, and you were right, they were so pleased to hear that someone was volunteering to help. They took my details, and said they'd be in touch :)

Oh and thanks Admin for the encouragement ;)

liberty :)

Hi Liberty.

I told you they would be grateful in fact I think the lady I first spoke to nearly dropped the phone :D

All we need now to be a double act is someone who wants a FCR and a Stafford in the same house ;)j

Karen

:D :D you never know...it could happen :D :D

liberty

Liberty
what type of questions did they ask ( if any )???

Hi Lel

I spoke to two different FCR Rescue folk. The lady I spoke to asked if I had FCR, who her breeder was and would I be happy to perhaps 'foster' a rescue for a couple of days perhaps. I couldn't say I could foster a dog definately, but was not adverse to the idea, if hubby was ok with it. I think she's going to send me some info through the post.

The chap I spoke to asked the same questions, (but not about fostering), took my name, addy and tel no; He said I may be asked to do home-checks etc, and that was that!!

I suppose I expected a few more questions to be asked, but I shall wait and see if the Postie delivers anything.
Were you asked many question??

liberty

karen,
What exactly do home checker check for? Ive always had a picture in mind of a lady in a plastic pinny and gloves checking nooks and craneys.

Hi I homecheck for Labrador rescue and it just involves checking the house and garden are secure and that the people are genuine!!
I really enjoy it, you get to meet loads of new people while doing something worthwhile and Darcy enjoys it as well as she comes with me every time!!!

Funny you mentioed that Rachel, the chap I spoke to, asked if I would be happy to take Libby with on home checks, it's a great idea, as you can see the reaction from people, when they see the dog they're looking to get, in their home!!!

Both the rescues I spoke to did say, not to be surprised if I was only called on once every couple of years; which I suppose is a good thing, if not too many FCR are being rehomed.

liberty :)

I thought thats how often it would be for me but at the moment its at least once a month!!

Is great with Darcy becasue a lot of people say they want young labradors withuout realising what a handful they are.
It amazes me how many people think all labradors act like guide dogs all the time!!!

Darcy certainly sets them straight!! :D

Karen/Liberty
I contacted a rescue home and said I was interested in home checking and the chap phoned me back and is sending me out in the next couple of days with one of their own homecheckers so I can get the feel for what its like and what is involved .
They deal with cats and dogs ( mixed breeds) and they have a no destruction policy for the animals meaning they stay there if they cant rehome .
I am half nervous and half excited . My first visit is Monday teatime !!!
Wish me luck :)

Oh Good Luck Lel!! Not that I think you'll need it :) Let us know how you get on, and what it's like to do a home-check!

liberty

Good luck, Lel! Let us know how you get on.
:)

As previously said Good Luck Lel :D

Oddly enough I have taken Sal with me to three Stafford homechecks so far and she adores it, people feed her bits of biscuit. In fact the second homecheck I went to the lady started to cry because Sal went and lay in just the spot their old Stafford bitch used to lie in ( best spot in the garden for the sun typical Stafford) They wanted to home an older Stafford aged over 8 or 9 they have now homed an 11 year old dog.

People are friendly and most people are and more than willing to talk Staffords all night ;)

Now you mention it though Emma I might wear a plastic pinnie and gloves to the next one ;)

Then I could say "Trust me I'm a homechecker" ;) ;)

Karen

does any one no by any chance what i should do im 16 years old live in central london own 3 dogs 1 german shepard and 2 labs and have always been intrested in a job in an animal rescue home i feel that for all the fun and happy times i have with my dogs i should pay something back to them i do at the moment work in a vet on sundays and and am really looking for something not too demanding i.e. mon to sun 9-5 although even that id enjoy though i spoke to the rspca but they said i should be 18 or over but i do enjoy meeting ppl and taking advice and giving advice but i dont know what to do does anyone know any suggestions would be greatly appreciated please help

There are a number of local rescues in every area and 99% dont recieve funding from the Government so any help offered at all is a bonus :)
You can offer to walk the dogs already in the rescue , clean out the kennels or even help to collect ( or donate) jumble/bric-a-brac .
If you go into http://www.dogpages.org.uk/links.htm y wil find a directory of rescue centres around the UK . Most will tell you on their webpage how you can help them :)
Hope that is of some use :) and Good luck
Lel

thank you very much for your help i will try it and make some calls thanks
robert

Good luck with your search Robert, it's so good to hear that young people want to do their bit for unwanted/homeless dogs, I hope you find somewhere soon :)

liberty :)

The young lady who I am going out on my first home check with has been involved with the rescue centre since she was 12 !! And started off just walking the dogs for them :)

See youth and "oldies" :) like me make a difference.

Karen

thanks alot i checked out the site and it sounds cool im gonna call them up tomorrow and ask them if i can help out i dont think they will let me though god i hope they do it would be great

just as i thought no u have to be over 18 so annoyin but i guess they have a point oh well life goes on its a right shame

I don't think they would be allowed to send a minor to a stranger's house.....

Will they not allow you to help clean out etc Robert?

One of the rescues I homecheck and help out has a policy of not allowing under 18s to walk the dogs alone, something to do with insurance, but there are plenty of other things that need doing.

Ingrid