When any rescue dog walks into a new home, it cannot possibly know who you are, why it is there or whether or not your intentions are good. Only time, patience, suitable training and handling will make this clear. In the meantime, insecurity, anxiety and stress will be externalised in a variety of less-than-ideal ways. Despite what television would have us believe, it isn't ‘love’ that makes the true difference to a rescue dogs life, but patience, commitment and knowledge.
We at FAITH also feel that these programmes give out the wrong messages. A chance to educate the nation on neutering, vaccinating and responsible ownership is wasted. We wrote to the BBC after a programme, showing “the blissful ignorance of deliberately breeding a little collie cross with a friends mongrel,” only to be told that these programmes were for entertainment and not education. It seems to be the ‘thing’ to own a pet whether or not you have the time, commitment or financial capability to do so.
The free veterinary treatment and the fact that TV would have you believe that there is always someone to take care of your pet in a crisis makes it all seem so easy. Then when they get their pet, be it a rescue or not, they have such high expectation of it. When ‘it’ or what they thought would be the fun of pet ownership doesn't live up to those expectations, the animal suffers.
Some of the young dogs we take in are dogs that were never socialised as puppies. When getting their puppy, walking it twice a day or taking it to puppy training classes was never a consideration, then when things go wrong, anything from messing, chewing, barking and biting, it’s the dogs fault. The truth is it’s the owner’s fault, they are to blame for the sweet puppy that turned into a problem dog. It can be very stressful and frustrating for us but help is at hand because there are some lovely people that want a rescued animal because they really do want to help it, and are prepared to work through any problems. Yes, we do see both extremes, thank heavens for the good ones and all the lovely people that help us carry on, when all the anger and stress is getting too much, along comes a ‘nice’ person to restore our faith in human nature. But - we do now have a notice at the centre that reads:
We re-home animals here at FAITH and unlike electrical goods or a car, our animals cannot come with a guarantee or a years warranty. When people adopt an animal they take on a living creature, which may become sick, troubled, soil or chew the furniture and probubly take time to settle into its new environment. We cannot guarantee perfection. When taking on a ‘rescue’ you must be prepared to do a bit of Rescuing. People should not take on a rescue animal as a means of acquiring a cheap pet. All pets cost the same to look after properly. They may cost in veterinary bills or damaged property - if you can’t afford it don’t have it! If you want perfection you shouldn’t chance it!
However thousands of our animals are happy in their new homes & their new owners pleased that they were able to rescue an otherwise homeless pet!