Rehome an older dog or put to sleep?

[gizlaroc]

moorx said:

I think that's a little unfair, TBH. All of us with dogs like to think that they are devoted to us, and many people feel that their dog would be miserable without them. Particularly, probably, this lady, who has owned the dog all its life. She may also be worried about her elderly dog going into kennels - I can understand this. I am a staunch supporter of rescues, but older dogs can struggle in kennels. (I realise that not all rescues use kennels, by the way).

So whilst I don't agree with her, I can sympathise with her. It must be terrible to be in her position.

I did say "...that is me just being an ahole as she has annoyed me." and I do realise what she must be thinking.

But if the dog was put down something is very, very wrong.

[bexVN]

gizlaroc said:

moorx said:

I think that's a little unfair, TBH. All of us with dogs like to think that they are devoted to us, and many people feel that their dog would be miserable without them. Particularly, probably, this lady, who has owned the dog all its life. She may also be worried about her elderly dog going into kennels - I can understand this. I am a staunch supporter of rescues, but older dogs can struggle in kennels. (I realise that not all rescues use kennels, by the way).

So whilst I don't agree with her, I can sympathise with her. It must be terrible to be in her position.

I did say "...that is me just being an ahole as she has annoyed me." and I do realise what she must be thinking.

But if the dog was put down something is very, very wrong.

It'd also be very very wrong for her to end up stuck in kennels. I don't believe this is a kinder option. It really does depend on the dogs character and where she'll end up.

[moorx]

gizlaroc said:

But if the dog was put down something is very, very wrong.

Agreed. Let's hope it doesn't come to that

[norush]

Thanks for the voice of reason moorx, the owner isn't some old biddy, she is still relatively young but has become disabled and will need constant care; she is also devastated at the thought of not being able to take care of the dog who is fit and healthy, gets lots of walks and is as mad as a box of frogs in the nicest possible way.

Myself and others are doing our best to find a good home for the dog and also convince the owner that this would be the best option. A local rescue centre informed us that rehoming a dog of that age can be very difficult; a local vet said he didn't have a problem euthanizing a 12 year old dog as the chances of rehoming it would be slim and was possibly a sensible solution. Not very promising but we're not giving up just yet.

[bexVN]

Speak to a different vet, we would struggle to agree unless other options not possible. We keep a list of clients who may take on new pets and have successfully rehomed older pets as a result, my boss has even had dogs and cats signed over to us and we have looked after them until a new home. I fostered the poodle my mum and dad eventually took on

[mrmaggit]

Jasandjules said:

norush said:

I'm not a dog psychiatrist so have no idea whether she's right or wrong.

She is wrong.

I agree.

My parents adopted two older dogs (one after the other), they both had a good few years added to their lives, and provided company for their own dog.

[lovechild]

The owner may well be right, the dog could pine for her and struggle in kennels. Most of the dogs who go out for foster go out because they're not coping particularly well in the kennel environment.

The chance of a successful rehoming is what needs to be assessed. If it's a nice dog and it's got plenty of years left then the chances are good. If the dog has a couple of stressful months in a kennel then goes on to live the rest of it's life in a loving household, then it's obviously the right thing to do.

Behavioural and medical problems are justifiable reasons for an animal being PTS. An owner who thinks the dog won't be able to live without her, is not.

[KFC]

0a said:

I think you underestimate the number of people that would be happy to take on an older dog.

My parents have retired and will be looking for a dog once they have sorted themselves out. This will be their first dog for many years.

They would rather start with a quiet, calm and older dog that they can give a nice home to for a few years rather than a young, energetic one.

Our local dog home seems to rehome such dogs quite easily.

Sadly, that is not correct at all. I work in dog rescue, its basically impossible to rehome older dogs. Sure you'll find the occasional home for them but they are few and far between. Everyone wants young dogs.

[Piglet]

KFC said:

0a said:

I think you underestimate the number of people that would be happy to take on an older dog.

My parents have retired and will be looking for a dog once they have sorted themselves out. This will be their first dog for many years.

They would rather start with a quiet, calm and older dog that they can give a nice home to for a few years rather than a young, energetic one.

Our local dog home seems to rehome such dogs quite easily.

Sadly, that is not correct at all. I work in dog rescue, its basically impossible to rehome older dogs. Sure you'll find the occasional home for them but they are few and far between. Everyone wants young dogs.

I think breed rescues fare a bit better with the oldies, there is a very big community of springer owners who often have a number of dogs and are willing and able to find a bit of fireside space for an oldie. It's certainly worth exploring via the springer rescues mentioned on page 1 and the oldies club.

[KFC]

Piglet said:

I think breed rescues fare a bit better with the oldies, there is a very big community of springer owners who often have a number of dogs and are willing and able to find a bit of fireside space for an oldie. It's certainly worth exploring via the springer rescues mentioned on page 1 and the oldies club.

Perhaps, but if you gave me 9 springers that were 6 weeks old and 1 springer that was 10 years old i'd still bet money I could shift all of the pups before the old one.

[moorx]

KFC said:

Sadly, that is not correct at all. I work in dog rescue, its basically impossible to rehome older dogs. Sure you'll find the occasional home for them but they are few and far between. Everyone wants young dogs.

Not everyone. There are homes out there for older dogs - as I say, I have adopted two myself, along with several middle-aged dogs. Of the 11 dogs I've adopted, only 3 have been under 12 months. Puppies may be more popular with some, but I would take an elderly dog over a puppy every time.

[Piglet]

KFC said:

Piglet said:

I think breed rescues fare a bit better with the oldies, there is a very big community of springer owners who often have a number of dogs and are willing and able to find a bit of fireside space for an oldie. It's certainly worth exploring via the springer rescues mentioned on page 1 and the oldies club.

Perhaps, but if you gave me 9 springers that were 6 weeks old and 1 springer that was 10 years old i'd still bet money I could shift all of the pups before the old one.

In a mainstream rescue environment I don't doubt that it the case, Ma and Pa and their 2.4 children are not going to go for an old dog. In breed rescue, with a different type of owner involved, I don't think it's impossible to do and to keep the dog out of kennels. I'm not saying it's easy and we all know that there are way too many dogs coming into rescues but within breeds like Springers there is an enormous amount of compassion for the old girls and boys who need some love in their last years and months.

OP, how are you getting on, If you want to contact me with some details, I could try to get one of my breed rescue contacts to make contact with the owner to see if they can reassure her.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

This is Jake we rehomed him aged 10 when his previous owner who had him from a pup had to move house.

It took him a couple of weeks to get used to us the new home but we have had him a year now and he is the happiest most chilled dog I know.





These guys helped him settle in

Where abouts are you/ the dog ?

[BlackVanDyke]

norush said:

Thanks for the voice of reason moorx, the owner isn't some old biddy, she is still relatively young but has become disabled and will need constant care; she is also devastated at the thought of not being able to take care of the dog who is fit and healthy, gets lots of walks and is as mad as a box of frogs in the nicest possible way.

Myself and others are doing our best to find a good home for the dog and also convince the owner that this would be the best option. A local rescue centre informed us that rehoming a dog of that age can be very difficult; a local vet said he didn't have a problem euthanizing a 12 year old dog as the chances of rehoming it would be slim and was possibly a sensible solution. Not very promising but we're not giving up just yet.

Is the owner going to be moving into a care home of some sort? If you know which, it may juuust be worth asking whether they'd welcome the dog too - I've had stays in a couple such places, one had 3 resident cats and the other had one of the nurses' dogs there with her almost every shift. Big impersonal places (especially those run by chains) are less likely to say yes to this, but it can't hurt to ask - be a very nice surprise for the owner if they did say yes!

For a smaller dog, 12 is only really a bit north of middle aged - could have a lot of living yet to do. Perhaps the owner could be reassured that IF the dog did pine badly then something would be done? Give it a fair go, at least? That way ?she won't be worrying for the rest of her life that the dog is miserable somewhere.

[ali_kat]

Maybe she could be re-homed with the promise of visits?

[johnxjsc1985]

We rehomed our Dogs when they were about 2 years old but I will always cherish my time with them when they were older Dogs they had such dignity .
Why should they suffer they deserve more life and a good one. I know my Mother In Law who is 88 would be horrified to think we would put her beloved Jack Russell down just because she couldn't keep her.

[DannyScene]

norush said:

As per title, what's the kindest option for a 12 year old healthy dog whose owner is going into care and is unable to take her dog which she's had from 8 weeks old? Will the dog pine for her owner or will she adapt to a new home?

Has anyone rehomed an older dog in a similar situation and how did the dog cope with being separated from it's owner? The lady in question thinks it would be kinder to have the dog put to sleep, but I personally am struggling with this option. Any and all comments welcomed.

The woman might pine for her old home/life and dog

Does she want herself putting down too?

Same logic

[carmadham]

If the owner that needs constant care doesn't get put down neither should the dog!

[JumboBeef]

norush said:

She is convinced the dog will pine for her and would not be happy

The dog would forget her straight away if the dog was in a new, happy home, with lots of love, walks and attention.

I rehomed a 15 year old once.

[bexVN]

JumboBeef said:

norush said:

She is convinced the dog will pine for her and would not be happy

The dog would forget her straight away if the dog was in a new, happy home, with lots of love, walks and attention.

I rehomed a 15 year old once.

It wouldn't forget but it would likely adapt to the change (and for some dogs change is traumatic for them)