Tips for rehoming a dog?

[Dar]

So, it's really clear to me now that we need to find a new home for our dog. It's not about her at all - she's a great dog - but about us. I'm about to leave for 5 weeks in Egypt, then I'll be back for fall semester, then I'm going to spend a semester in Paris, and then come back for maybe a year, and then spend another year out of the country. Oh, and Rain is spending the next year in Russia, and then after a year here she goes off to college.

We have an 8 year old border collie who and it just isn't fair to have her going back and forth to different places with different people, assuming we could even find people to take her for a semester. I left her for 8 weeks last summer and she was really nervous for weeks after I got back. None of my family members or friends can take her.

So far I've contacted our local breed rescue, and they added her photo and bio to their website as a courtesy listing. One person has contacted me about her, but I don't know what will happen with that, if anything.

I figure I should go check out the home of whoever wants to take her, and look for a fenced yard... and maybe ask if they've had experience with the breed? What else?

And any ideas about how else to get the word out about her? I really want her to go to a loving home...

TIA!

[Sailor]

Rescues are definitely the way to go. Can you find more than one rescue in your area?

Petfinder is another source - I'm not sure who can post there, though. Whether it's just shelters/rescues. You could contact regular shelters and ask them to place her on their websites too, but let them know you'll be caring for her until prospective owners chime in.

8 years old is a tough age. She's entering that senior phase, and (not to discourage you) dogs of that age are one of the hardest to place. People usually want either puppies or young dogs. 8 years is really not "young" any more. So, you're going to have to work extra hard. So ... you can have a list of qualifications and do interviews, but you're really not going to have that many people to choose from.

Senior dogs ... it's tough. I'm in GSD rescue, and it's hard for us to place senior dogs. It seems like no one wants a dog over 6. 7 is already pushing it. And 8 is like never, never land.

Good luck.

[Dar]

Yeah, that's kind of what I thought... I hadn't thought of asking other rescues to do courtesy listings, too, though, so she'd be on petfinder... I'm sure that would help.

I suppose 8 is oldish... she doesn't seem at all old, though. She's a lot smaller than a GSD, so she ages a bit more slowly, right? She's gorgeous and healthy, and all that annoying puppy stuff like housetraining and chewing on stuff is ancient history. I suppose she could be 7... we got her 6 1/2 years ago, so it was just an estimate....

I wish we could keep her, but I just don't see how, without dropping out of grad school... but it makes me really sad.

[cyncyn]

I would have thought that 8 was "old" too until I saw some working dogs at a farm and found out they were 6 and 7 years old. They had plenty of energy. You might emphasize that she is beyond the destructive puppy phase but still plenty of vigor left. Is she obedience trained? Good with kids? Both of those will be positives for most people. Our kelpie/border collie was a much better family dog at 8 than at 2. Slept all night, let herself out when needed, could be left loose at home without causing trouble, never got into the trash, etc. Still loved to go to the park, for a walk or for a ride in the car. I hope you find a good home for your dog. And enjoy your adventures - that sounds very exciting!

[Longhairedbeauty]

You could post it at veterinary clinics/hospitals. People who go there are animal lovers and may want an addition to their family.

I don't think her age is an issue- some people are going to *want* older dogs who may have less energy than puppies. Just want something to cuddle, go on walks with, rather than having to go thru training them, etc..... Everyone's needs are different- a dog who is older has its advantages and disadvantages, just as puppies do.