Dogs Trust Reviews

1.6 Rating 83 Reviews
13 %
of reviewers recommend Dogs Trust
1.6
Based on 83 reviews
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Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
They seem reluctant to rehome any dogs. We've submitted applications with the bare minimum of requirements; the application is rejected and the dog remains on the website. Over a number of weeks, at least one family has had no reason to be incompatible and the dog has remained un-homed. They claim to have thousands of applicants every week, so a good-looking dog shouldn't be hard to rehome. It's not hard to imagine keeping the dog's profile on the site is a means of generating donations.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
After a correspondence with the dogs trust which ended, quote: 'Thank you for sending through all the required documents for Theo, we have appointments available on Saturday 20th if this is still suitable for you. I will forward the videos etc to our contact at Dogs Trust to see if he would be a suitable candidate for the police. If not, I am sure we will be able to find him a suitable home.' I thought it was worth the 250mile, 5hr round trip. Instead of the person who wrote the email we were met by two girls who made it clear within seconds there was to be no chance of rehoming, just a wall of negativity and a litany of excuses. We have adopted from them in the past and I thought they were a good organisation, but no more.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
How is it that we have so many dog trust rescue centres in this country and yet good decent english people who can provide a dog a loving home are constantly told that we are not suitable ? This is the 3rd time I have been told by a centre that it is not possible for me to have a dog. I am a dog loving person with a good home good garden and and a loving home to offer a dog who will get non stop love and attention ! I would really appreciate it if the dogs trust can give me an answer to this ! Why is it we can get a dog quicker from abroad from a rescue centre than we can in our own country ? Ironically the dog trust is still asking me to support the dogs financially... All these dogs which need homes what is going on?
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
Had done a first meet with a dog that I had absolutely fallen in love with and the centre had said they needed me to pick him up within a couple of days, so set the appointment for second meet and pick up on the same day. Called me the evening before, after I had gone and bought everything that I needed to enable me to pick up the dog - why they didn't call earlier in the day I don't know! - to say that my garden wasn't suitable and they wouldn't let me rehome him. Tried to suggest reasonable changes I could make, but no compromise or anything. It was basically do what they say or bugger off. I am a dog lover and have been a dog lover all my life. I've had relatives' dogs stay at my house and no complaints from them about my garden! I firmly believe a dog couldn't have a more loving, caring and safe environment than to live with me. Completely changed my view on Dogstrust, a charity I used to support. I can now see why puppy farmers get such a roaring trade, when all you ever hear from rehoming centres is no no no - not that I would ever go down that road. Have to say its ironic that Dogstrust, with their unreasonable and bigoted stance, is effectively lining the pockets of unscrupulous puppy breeders. I'd be very interested to know the figures on how many dogs they rehome, compared with the amount of rejected adopters that go on to purchase cheap puppies from unreputable sources.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
My family have always rehomed dogs from rescue centres and I would love to, however every search I put in to find just one dog that I would be ‘suitable’ to adopt the search comes up with nothing. I can’t understand why they would rather have dogs living behind Kennels rather than living at my home with just my partner and 1 year old. I am fully aware dogs are unpredictable and I would never trust a dog fully but I believe a dog is best placed with a loving family. I have seen so many descriptions for dogs saying no other dogs or cats, or no young children or no regular visitors. It’s ridiculous how these people know what’s best for the dog keeping them from being rehomed. I would love to know why they are so strict as I am sure a lot of people who fit the ridiculously strict criteria still may have issues and be unable to look after the dog. The centres have iPads and the money going into the place should mean the dogs are being rehomed not sitting there like a zoo for people to view the dogs!
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
Recently applied for a bully breed dog having had over 20 yrs Billy breed experience of all sizes plus a totL of 30 years dog experience ,looked we had all the boxes ticked 6ft fences ,experience ,caring home but was turned down by what appeared to be a computer rather than the personal touch oh well such is life
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
A review for when it doesn't have a perfect end. Like many, I went to the Dogs Trust to rescue a dog and have a friend for life. This is my honest review of my experience with this specific centre, as I feel their service when things don't go like in the adverts should be reviewed. I'm not sure if all Dogs Trust centres are like the Shrewsbury one, but my experience with this centre was awful. Receptionist Teresa is not a nice person and rarely would I say this about someone. I was surprised with Teresa's manner being in such a position in a charity many would love to work for. Prepare to be ignored with your emails and calls if things don't work out, which for me was heartbreaking in this situation. Almost all the staff who dealt with me at this centre were standoffish, short mannered and judgemental. I must say one person was lovely, I didn't catch their name but when I got chance to speak with them over my queries regarding the dog they were lovely. Beware of their aftercare service, because if something goes wrong they lead you to believe they have the say over your dog, but they don't. As a first time dog owner (and adopter) I learnt that the hard way. If you are reading this in a similar situation don't be led to feel bad if you don't know something about dogs such as a specific behaviour (especially if you have a dog with many behaviour challenges you were not told about before adopting) as I did and was made to feel awful by behaviourists' at the centre when I rang their aftercare for guidance. I understand thing's do not always work out (which is wording my situation very delicatly) but to be treated how I was when I followed all their advice and trying my best with the poor dog who they had not assessed properly before rehoming to me and admitted they had not made a right match, is unforgivable. I feel I had been lovely to everyone I dealt with and it was clear how caring and passionate I was to help the mentioned dog but in the end I was completely ignored. For many reading this, my experience will not be relatable with your own if you have had the wonderful experience of adopting a dog and it all go like a dream, but just be aware that there are people and processes you do not see until it goes wrong and this is just as important a measure of the charity. I had a lot of understanding for the many mistakes made by the charity, but what I cannot understand is their frankly cruel manner in which they completely ignore someone, who has come to the centre to adopt a dog for life and follow their advice when it doesn't work out. I still don't know what has happened to the dog as no one has got back to me since I emailed 2 weeks ago and called postadopt (you'll be aware of if you have adopted from them) and they said Shrewsbury would call me back but the centre hasn't (1 month on). I even sent some toys via their Amazon wish list for the dog and other dogs 3 weeks ago and still nothing. How people can be so cruel is upsetting. My advice to others would be to adopt, but not from this centre. If you do, and it goes wrong, do not ring their postadopt go straight to a vet or clinical behaviourist. The one positive is the person I talked to who was lovely and honest about the failings made. Being ignored with my later enquires and plans however was heartbreaking. I'm not sure if this is as a result of receptionist Teresa not forwarding them on, or if it was another manager ignoring me, but either way I did not get an email to confirm and all communication came from postadopt when I chased it up.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
WHAT A SHAMBLES, IVE JUST HAD A LOOK AT THE REVIEWS THAT CAME AFTER MY REVIEW, DO THEY THINK WE ARE STUPID TO BELIVE THOSE, OBVIOUSLY SOME ARE REAL, BUT MOST ARE NOT. THIS IS THE SAME AS EVERY OTHER COMPANY/CORPORATION ITS BASICALLY A MONEY MAKING VENTURE. SOON AFTER BEING TOLD MY APPLICATION HAD FAILED FOR A DOG I NEVER SASKED FOR I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR ONES , I FOUND A 4 Y/O STAFF WHO THE PEOPLE SAID THEY COULDN'T HAVE ANY LONGER AS THE LANDLORD CHANGED HIS MIND , I PERSONALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT, BUT NEVERTHELESS I TOOK THE DOG FOR A WALK IN THE PARK WITH THE OWNERS. HE WASN'T WELL BEHAVED, AND COULD NOT CONTROL HIM, HE HAD NO RECALL, AND ACTED AS IF HE HADN;T BEEN OUT FOR YEARS. I TOLD THEM UNFORTUNATELY I COULDN'T HAVE HIM. HE WAS A STAFF, I TOLD THEM TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DOGS TRUST, THEY SAID THEY DID, AND WERE TOLD THEY DID NOT WANT HIM, NO EXPLANATION, ALL ON THE PHONE, THEY NEVER EVEN SAW THE DOG, HE WAS TRAINABLE, BUT I NEVER HAD TIME, SO NOW I;M LOOKING FOR A PUP. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU THAT THEY ARE NOT THE CARING COMPANY THAT THEY PORTRAY. ENOUGH SAID.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
We've owned ex racing retired greyhounds in the past. Lost our last dog at beginning of lockdown and have now decided to re-home again. Saw 2 up for adoption in our local branch that seemed perfect for us. We live in a quiet home, all adults, all at home (2 working from home and 1 always at home) so he/she wouldn't be left at all alone. Secure large garden. Always have taken our dogs on holiday and so wouldn't have used kennels. We've kept all the coats, leads and collars and are experienced with the breed so we felt we were perfect candidates for one of these 2 dogs. Applied and waited. A week later I got an automated email basically saying 'we aren't a suitable match for the dog chosen'. I'd love to know why!!
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
Was looking at this place for 3 months and other places but gave up here because dogs trust is good but ridiculously picky with who suitable with what dog like almost impossible to get a dog from here. Go somewhere else don’t waste months like I did and get nowhere
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
I telephoned the dogs trust to inform them that a dog which they had just rehomed near me was being abused. Not only do they not do a follow up visit, they cannot take action to take the dog back. I am now in talks with the RSPCA who, quite frankly are not much use!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
Awful organisation who are more concerned with empire building than the dogs in their care. They are famous for not putting dogs down even when their behaviour is so aggressive that they cannot be rehomed. The result is that they cause more damage to a damaged dog by leaving them in kennels for years with no human contact from 4pm until 9am every night, which causes extreme distress and then they pump them full of drugs to mask the damage they have caused. And in my experience, they misdiagnose medical issues and provide daily medication for years that is not required. Meantime, they don't do basic dental checks and a dog can be left in pain for years with bad and loose teeth. They take zero responsibility for any issues they cause that detrimentally affects a dog's health. Instead they defensively justify themselves and blame others. I suspect their priority is protecting the millions of pounds in donations they receive every year. The Dogs Trust is good at empire building and funding a lot of so-called experts. Not so good at caring for dogs. Nor so good at supporting people like me who took on a dog that they had in their "care" for nearly 3 years and 3 failed attempts at rehoming. Their response to constructive challenge is to ask for the dog to be returned to their care. A dog which they say will not be rehomed again. E.g. after a year of making baby steps of progress with this damaged dog, they change his medication without consultation and his behaviour has regressed to a worse state I have experienced as he refuses to take this new medication. Their own vets gave him the same brand of medication for years and it was working and when I had to appoint a non Dogs Trust vet, the Dogs Trust were clear in directing the new vet to prescribe a generic medicine instead of a specific brand and they sent a dog that does not eat enough, a brand that is designed for obese dogs and smells strongly of mint. The result is that he has resorted to obsessive grooming and is clearly in a lot of discomfort. The withdrawals of suddenly coming off Prozac are severe. Prior to my experience of the Dogs Trust, I didn't even know Prozac was used on dogs. They give him the same brand for years and then change it, but blame the vet for not specifying a brand, taking zero responsibility for the fact that the new vet was doing as they directed! I used to donate to the Dogs Trust. I now donate to other dogs charities who treat their dogs with kindness and care and who take responsibility for their actions/advice.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
Very pushy man on doorstep trying to get me to sponsor a dog. Not a nice experience just had to close the door in the end. I will donate when I want to. I love all animals and donate regularly; when I want to.
Helpful Report
Posted 2 years ago
Very helpful and knowledgeable staff. Understand your requirements as well as the dogs. Brilliant
Helpful Report
Posted 3 years ago
Having just recently offered a home to what I was informed was a somewhat aggressive collie from their Lothian centre, I was declined by management assessor's, even though given this dogs would have virtually no chance of being adopted in my opinion because of its past history. I have owned collies all my life. This dog has been in their kennels for over 3 yrs now and previously there has been an attempted rehome twice in the past, both failed and dog returned to Dog.T. Enquiring on another collie at their kennels( now 2 yrs in their kennels,) i was informed that rehoming was attempted on three previous occasions which failed. Now i must question the ability of their management accessments in their rehoming decisions based on only the two aforementioned dogs. I will now evaluate the questionable ability of this charity to carry out the charitable work for dogs in a professional and competent manner. I now reflect on my decision to gift to this society in future, as in my opinion their management assessments are not in the best interest of the dog.
Helpful Report
Posted 3 years ago
We have a lovely dog from Dogs Trust . We applied for a few before getting Bob and thought we were being overlooked but so glad we didn't give up . Bob is a lively young Saluki and we are so pleased with him thank you Dogs Trust , Snetterton
Helpful Report
Posted 3 years ago
My original order was placed on 9th November 2020, after 4 weeks I chased the order. I had to wait 10 minutes to have my call answered, to be told everything was available and would soon be dispatched. The parcel arrived on the 11th December with 3 out of 5 items, no explanation. Again I telephoned, again a very long wait, to be told the 2 items were no longer available. Not a great image for a charity I would be keen to support.
Helpful Report
Posted 3 years ago
some very unorganized people work at dogs trust leeds, my sister and her husband were finally accepted and offered a little companion today saying the Training team will be in touch the dog was immediately removed from the online site , one hour later was rang back to say they had offered it to someone else and didnt realize .
Helpful Report
Posted 3 years ago
Poor customer service & were deeply disappointed with the rehoming process. We visited dogs trust Shrewsbury and met the dog we wanted so filled out the appropriate application form but were told the dog would be advertised online as part of the “protocol” The dog was never advertised online (I was checking regularly) & after making numerous enquiries we were told that the dog had already found a home before they even allocated the specific amount of days to find a suitable owner. We were never informed of anything post application and the rehoming procedure is appalling so don’t waste your time!
Helpful Report
Posted 3 years ago
Dogs Trust is rated 1.6 based on 83 reviews