Many Tears Animal Rescue

After a 324-mile round trip yesterday, to unsuccessfully adopt from MTAR, I want to share my experience. I was too emotional to express myself with them yesterday, but I have given feedback today. I have reflected and apologised for not being upfront about the number of cats that we have but had I done they would not have entertained us, I could have continued the lie but chose to be honest when in person, I hoped they would understand; our experience, our home, the pets within our family and the care and love we give them and to be fair the owner was in favour of us when she was called for her opinion. The dog we had asked for would have been given so much love and attention and would always have been with X, he was to sleep on our bed and be one on one with X constantly, so to have our integrity toward our care of him within in our home questioned was very hurtful. We both felt from the start that the fosterer viewed the dog as hers, it was what she has done with him, what he does in her home, how he is out and about, I understand she was explaining his demeanour and behaviour but when we spoke of our experience she did not seem interested or wanting to engage/explore our experience, we genuinely had the feeling she did not want to let him go. X tried to explain that he had had dogs all his life and she counteracted with so have I and X quite honestly said “but I am a lot older than you”. I knew she was rankled but to be fair we had driven a long way and fallen in love knowing we could make a difference for him and to be knocked back was a big blow. We don’t feel we are special, but we do absolutely know we are experienced, loving, giving, caring and responsible owners of all things fur on four legs. I was upset and X was protective. Had anyone from the charity taken the time to truly digest our background or engaged fully with us they would have been able to appreciate our experience of handling working dogs, police dogs, rehoming reactive and aggressive dogs, our experience of multi dog households along with experience of bringing people together to allow dogs to socialise safely in large groups. We could have provided references from X and her Mother X both UK and Overseas renowned experts in the field of dog behaviour and dog welfare. I could have further provided references from people that know the love I always put into looking after the welfare and enrichment of my pets’ lives along with one from my vet. MTAR did not look for further validation though, all rehoming appears to be based on, and my apologies from being maybe ageist, in this case a youthful fosterer’s opinion without any mature due diligence. Follow up from the home review was lacking, we were told we would hear back from the office following the positive feedback, but nothing, I had to call to see if all was still going ahead. The fosterer had committed to sending us WhatsApp videos of the dog but again nothing came so after the one conversation I was left in the dark as to whether the adoption was a yes. I’d been advised that we had passed the home check and that someone from the kennels would contact us to confirm this, nothing happened so I feel the process is a tick box exercise as we had no proactive contact after the first initial call. Had the fosterer viewed our home review videos, even basically, she would have seen a calm environment as our cats are low key and do their own thing. I take offence at the fact the fosterer judged our environment to be unsuitable when she feels her home is fit for him, quote; “His foster home includes children 6+, several dogs, cats, and even a house parrot, and he’s been amazing with all of them indoors”. Why, with experienced ownership, just because we have 16 cats, would things be considered any different within our home? There are further comments but I cant fit all in we are loving experienced people that have been rejected so I just want to say dont build you hopes up as it appears, from my point of view, that adoption is based on the fosterer not the dogs needs. There were further chats but I cannot, from a GDPR angle, disclose those. An afterthought - MTAR do not advocate breeders breeding but does bringing pets from breeding farms in Ireland to sell in England not seem hypocritical? Stop the supply chain to stop the flow is my thought, but then - check their accounts, MTAR has a revenue that appears to be too healthy. Some of the employee reviews online don't look to good either.

I have wanted to rescue a dog from here, but they make it so difficult, no wonder there are so many dogs needing re homing. The questions are intense and intrusive. They insist that you neuter the dog, should you be lucky enough to get one, I don't agree with neutering unless there is a medical or unsocial reason to do so. I already have an un-neutered dog, so that counts me out, I am also a pensioner, so my age also counts me out. I am a very good and experienced dog owner with a secure garden and am at home all day, my own dog gets extensive walks and great nutrition and care. I am an exceptional owner yet do not fit the criteria for being awarded a dog from this organisation. Hugely disappointed, I ended up buying a dog.

We’ve been lucky enough to have two westies from MT and I could not praise the rescue centre enough, all the staff were lovely and the adoption process was very straight forward. Thank you MT for all your hard work and rescuing so many dogs in need, we are very lucky to have you.

My 18 year old dog had to be put to sleep I made the heart breaking decision to donate his belongings to Many Tears rescue centre. What a bad decision, not for the dogs but for me. The woman I dealt with did not introduce herself or ask my name or any details about my dog. Her attitude was she could not get rid of my son and myself quick enough. I was opening a bag to show her what was inside and she said not to bother doing that. She was so rude I was still talking to her as she walked away. Other personnel were thrilled with the gifts 2 large bags of toys, a bag of harnesses, 2 special dog beds and medicines etc. We had driven many miles to go to that rescue centre specifically I was extremely upset. If they want to improve their attitude do not let this woman deal with the public. Patricia

We adopted a rescue from Romania 4 years ago with no problems and very quick efficient service from centre particularly as it was during the 3rd lockdown. Never enter my head to write a review until I came across this page as didn't think there could be anything but positivity considering the amazing work they do. Shocked to see some people think it is their right to own a dog ! Of course dogs who have been kept for breeding need another dog to show them how to be a pet. And anyway the priority is with the dog's needs and if these amazing people at Many Tears had said we were not suitable for Aggy we would have accepted it was what was best for her, not had a hissy fit. Yes we had to take photos of garden and prove we were OK but these dogs have been through enough and need the best forever home that is possible. So anyone who has a gripe about this, get over yourself and respect these hard working people's opinions and remember it's about the dogs not you.

We adopted last year a one year old cooker spaniel girl, who needed a resident dog to show her how to live “like a dog.” We read the requirements and applied for her. Within 36 hours we received a phone call and answered a few more questions. To be able to adopt, we needed to provide evidence of a safe garden and home environment before driving to the foster mother as family including our resident dog. Both dogs got on lovely and after answering some more questions and a walk with both dogs we decided to take her home. A year later, and Izzy turned into Lotta and now lives her life to the fullest. We have been travelling abroad and throughout the UK, explore different beaches and woodlands and of course meet loads of other friends and dogs on a weekly basis and our own garden. Yes, on some days Lotta is still timid or easily startled but mainly she has surprised us all with her happy mentality and growing confidence. Throughout the process MTAR supported us and her foster mother is still always available at the other end of the phone. We received a doggy bag when we picked Lotta up and will always be grateful for letting her’s and ours worlds collide ❤️ Thank you MTAR

Very poor response from this rescue. For context as necessary, I should provide some background information. I previously owned a beautiful female West Highland Terrier called Polly. Absolutely gorgeous girl. Owned her from eight weeks old until she passed away in her sleep a short time ago, having reached nearly 13 years of age. I spotted a three year old female Westie on this rescues page called Tucker, who had apparently been received from a breeder. I decided to apply to adopt. So, first point, experience of the breed Second point, experience of raising younger dog through it's whole lifetime. Third point, experience of training. Fourth, I live alone, no kids, no partner. Plenty of walkies around for socialising and my neighbour has a dog themselves plus my sister, has a Pug. My living situation is as follows: I work from home full time. I work flexi hours. I live in a rural area. I rent but am buying the property end of the year from the landlord. The property is a barn conversion, enclosed garden at the back with full access to my living room through french doors. The living room is also where I have my desk for work and Polly, previously had full access to every room in the house and spent a lot of time in and out, because of the enclosed space. The location is rural, my property is one on a farm. Anyway following an application, I put all my effort in believing the above to be a perfect home for this dog. Not even ten minutes later. Ten minutes!!!! I received a rejection email. The rejection was on the basis that apparently because I didn't have another "resident" dog", I couldn't adopt. Absolutely disgusting and disgraceful. For one- has the charity had a physical conversation with the dog- to establish they HAVE to live with another dog? I'm guessing no. Usually it's the case shelter dogs need to be raised alone so given my situation is perfect to raise a dog, not believing of the response from them at all. This is the second rescue I've tried. The first rejected due to being an hour and fifteen minutes away. I am not applying to rescues again. I will only going forward be applying through breeders for puppies and I will never be donating to any animal shelter, even though I'm a dog lover. The sad reality is, places like Happy Tears complain they are under funded, people go for puppies first however can you really blame people when making such poor decisions which are clear based on absolute rubbish and not necessarily in the interests of the dog who is still in a shelter. Never again. And I'd advise anyone with aless than ideal situation (opposite to mine), don't even bother going to a rescue because it's absolutely pointless and a waste of time and in my view they have very little interest in the dog. İt's more about convenience etc. Never again.