We own two "rescue" greyhounds from here Hersham Hounds - neither is a rescue in the conventional sense, but both are retired racing greyhounds who have needed a bit (not a lot) of work to socialise them in the wider world.

We have received superb support from Hersham Hounds, everything from toe-nail clipping, to tea and sympathy when our hounds have taken a tumble, to sage advice on how hounds settle in and what to do to speed the process. Plus they will always take back one of their hounds if for any reason you are no longer able to keep it.

Greyhounds are not for everyone but if you are interested in adopted a rescue greyhound, most of the rescues will offer similar support.

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www.madaboutgreys.com

I have a rescue working cocker spaniel, she is the sweetest little dog, she came with a pedigree which surprised me. It turns out she has mild eplilepsy and possibly eye problems, but we love her whatever she has, just goes to show they can come with great pedigrees and still have problems. She is also very clingy and was a nervous wreck when we got her but she is a lot better, still a work in progress but we will get there in the end.
Carol

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My Aunt 85 years young at the time lost her old faithful GSD, she became very lonely and was beginning to get despressed within a short space of time. I felt the best thing was for her to get another dog. A puppy was out of the question as was a young excitable dog.

She went along to the Dogs Trust and registered with them. After a week or two on the Sunday at about 3:00pm she received a call to say an 8 year old cocker spaniel was on its way in, as his elderly owner was very ill and no longer able to care for him. They felt he would be a suitable companion for her.

There was an instant bond between the two of them. My Aunt went to the Dogs Trust on the Monday and we brought him home the next day. There wasn't time to do a home check but my Aunt took photos to them mainly to show them her previous dog.

Zack and my Aunt had a wonderful year together. Zack was returned to the Dogs Trust where he secured another loving home within a week with a lovely couple I had the pleasure of meeting by chance at the Dogs Trust.

I used to think a rescue dog came with excess baggage, but most don't - Zack is a perfect little dog.

I have always raised puppies, but we have discussed rescue dogs at length and when the time is right for us to take on another dog we will be getting him/her from a rescue centre.

Great to read sskmicks excellent rehoming story. Thanks for sharing. There are many more to read on my Rescue Review website. Like your mums experience - I really hope these positive adoption/rescue experiences from reputable establishments will encourage others to consider rescuing.

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Rescue Review: Dedicated to improving standards in animal adoption

I have to admit that my staffy dog bentley was bought from a breeder as a pup, but my previous staffy bitch Darcy was from a rescue, she was 6 wen i adopted her and i must say she was the best dog i have ever owned dont get me wrong i love bentley with all my heart but darcy was special to me she was so loving, friendly with kids animals and other dogs. She lived to the ripe old age of 15, and i would certainly adopt again in the future from a rescue as rescue dogs definatly deserve a second chance and more often than not they r only up for adoption bcos of the fault of their previous unresponsible owners! tests and trainings r done on all rescue dogs to ensure they r safe to b rehomed.. i only bought bentley instead of adoptin a rescue agen as he was from my sisters bitch and i fel in love with his white socks

That's great, it's nice to hear that the rescue centres don't all go by the age of the person.

I am very pro rescue, and think it is the best way to get a dog. After my nan and grandad lost their jack russell they got very depressed and grandad not walking regularly had to start using a stick as his foot started to get weak. We tried 5 rescues had 2 homechecks picked a dog and everytime we were told they weren't suitable or they were aggressive or someone else was there first etc etc it got ridiculous in the end.

They both use sticks and i think this put them off thinking they couldn't exercise the dog, despite me saying I was a dog walker and the dog would get regular walks plus a walk round the block twice a day by my grandad. Also their age what if they died before the dog, again I said I would take the dog on after their deaths if it came to it.

After all the knock backs nan was even considering getting a puppy ! which wouldn't have been good but they just couldn't get a rescue as there never seemed a dog suitable.

Eventually they got a little dog off a friend who was rehoming their dog and they are really pleased with him, they need some help with the longer walks but I'm a dog walker so I help out! He is loved, gets the best food, vet treatment etc pity the rescues couldn't see through the age and their sticks and been a bit flexible

We tried our best to rescue,

Hello - I adopted a Chi / JR + just over a week ago and we are having some issues (see my other post in the training/behaviour section). I need some good sound advice about settling in & calming down. Can you recommend any sources of info specific to rescue dog issues? Thanks.

I have to admit we tried quite a number of rescues as my Aunt wanted another GSD. Whilst most said they didn't have an upper age limit, as you say basically they didn't have a dog suitable for my Aunt.

We almost got a GSD privately, basically the dog hadn't been brought up in the right environment, no basic anything... and became a nuisance to his owner and neighbours. Fortunately my Aunt saw sense, this dog needed a physically and mentally strong handler, whilst my Aunt was able to cope with rescue GSD at one time, this one would have been too much for her.

She was only waiting about two weeks before Zack came along. I too thought I would take over his care, but it wasn't to be, Zack didn't get on with my dog. The Dogs Trust were prepared to work with me and the dogs but they said the outcome could be that both dogs will tolerate each other but not necessarily happy together. My own dog may feel pushed out etc.. So it was agreed that if Zack became a sticky dog I would work with their behaviourst with a view to caring for him.

I took him back on the Sunday and he was reserved by the Saturday and rehomed on the Tuesday. I have to admit I loved that little dog - heartbraking. I know he is being well cared for and loved. I actually met his new owners by chance. A lovely couple.

Don't forget - if you have an experience to share about your pet adoption/rescue OR if you are considering adoption/rescue - please visit the Rescue Review website. Thank you!

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Rescue Review: Dedicated to improving standards in animal adoption

ive got 2 dogs, Laila ive had from a pup, and couldnt be without but then i have Taiya, she's a labradoodle, she's a rescue, she went from a ''shelter'' someone without any idea what they were doing, taking in heaps of unwanted dogs, then my aunt somehow ended up with her, and now she's mine.
she's been abused, neglected and generally unloved. dont underestimate how much time, effort and patience a dog/puppy needs, and it increases when you're dog has had a bad past, but Taiya makes me so pround and i often sit and think over the pictures of her the day i got her and the last 6 months, and to think how far she's come and how stsrongly she'd bonded with me.
i truely believe Taiya made me complete, as frustrating as it can be when you dont understand why she wont eat, even the most delicious smelling food, or when it's just us in the house and she's a complete other dog but your friend who visits most days still doesnt get to see that side of her. i couldnt imagine life without my girls now.
i would advise finding out what the history of the dog is before you commit, but dont be put off, i knew very little about Taiya when i heard my aunt was going to just pass her along, i'd never seen her or even knew of her existance, but when i saw her on a lead freaking out at everything, even me, and was told what my aunt knew she'd been through. be prepared to give everything you've got and more, and you wont be let disappointed. Taiya makes me proud everyday. little things every dog does, like chase a ball or hold onto a rope to play tug of war is something that Taiya has learnt in the 6 months ive had her.
i could talk for days about my dogs. i dont know where i'd be without them.
good luck!