Hi everyone,

I hope someone can help me. My husband and I have 4 cats and we would like to get a medium sized dog to add to the brood. Does anyone know what type/breed of dog would be best suited to a house like ours? Our neighbour's dog is a cocker spaniel and she gets on fine with our cats so we were thinking something along these lines. We would have preferred a rescue dog but we had a major problem with Louth SPCA last week.
The story goes like this: my husband had an inspector from Louth SPCA out for a home visit as they had lovely 10 week old golden cocker spaniels available for rehoming. We thought this would be perfect. The inspector came to our house, looked around (this was last Friday) and said she would drop the puppy into us on Monday. Monday morning and my husband called the inspector to ask what time would she be with us. She told him we were not suitable for a dog(???) and that she had changed her mind on Friday night. She ouldn't give us an explanation or any reason. My husband and I have no children so our cats are our children. To say we were disappointed and so mad at the same time is an understatement. We tried calling her back twice but she just hung up on us.

Over the last few days I have heard some horror stories about what goes on in these so called rescue centres. Apparently the highest bidder wins when it comes to rehoming an animal and obviously someone had 'outbid' us. I got in touch with the chairperson of the ISPCA about this but I am still awaiting a reply.
My husband and I wanted to take a puppy/dog from a rescue centre so we could give a donation. We didn't want to go to a breeder as we know there are needier dogs out there.

Has anyone had this problem? We would really like a dog but I'm afraid to say I have been put off using one of these centres. We are really annoyed with the experience and don't know what to do about where to get a dog. Should we go to a breeder or does anyone know of anyone trying to rehome a small-medium sized dog? We live in Louth and have a medium sized enclosed garden. I work full time but my husband works shift so there is normally one of us there. We would walk a dog 2/3 times a day.
Sorry this is so long winded but I am really p*ssed off with the treatment of my husband and I in this situation. Our neighbours are shocked we didn't meet the so-called criteria even though we had been told we were getting a dog from the inspector.

If anyone can offer me some advice it would be very much appreciated.

Nicola

Did they mention an amount they expected you to pay as a donation and was there any reasons given for changing her mind? That's shocking Nicola and I will definitely ask around as that's not right. I don't think you'll have a problem finding a puppy and its always a risk introducing a new pet but a puppy is probably the best choice.

When you do get your puppy I would suggest confining it to a small area of the house to give it more time to smell around and get used to its surrounding. This will also mean your cats can avoid the puppy until they have come to terms with the new pet but I know lots of people that have dogs and cats and they get along fine. Some even the best of friends!

Also meant to say try these rescue centers, i've worked with then personally and highly recommend:

Dogs Aid: 087-2944310 www.dogsaid.ie/
Dogs Trust: www.dogstrust.ie/
Homeward Bound: shirley@homewardbound.ie, 086 1013065, www.homewardbound.ie

Hi Barbara,
We said we would pay €100 donation fee and she said that was very generous. We also bought all the stuff for the puppy over the weekend spending over €200. Still haven't had a reply from the chairperson yet.
The reason my husband and I called her again on Monday afternoon was to find out what had changed. I called her from my work number and she just hung up the phone. I asked her for an explanation but she said she did not have to give me a reason!!!!
In my opinion she has given Louth SPCA a really bad name and I know there are some genuine volunteers out there.

hi i am very sorry to hear this. do not know this centre but sounds worrying. there is many rescues who are great and very willing to help and one of them is dar they are in drogheda and often have open days.
i foster for different rescues so i hope you will try another they are not all bad. there is also a dogs life animal rescue dublin. last hope charity they are in navan.fordogsake is in kells a rescue jack russell called katie just gave birth, and as barbara mentioned dogs aid and dogs trust are brilliant as well.
hope you find a puppy you like and most puppies can be trained to get on with your cats in fact your cats will tell the puppy they were there first, my cat will be 14 in august and she slaps my puppy who is nearly 5 months and she is a springer spaniel cross.