Rescuing an animal

 I had a similar experience when we decided to adopt a dog a few years ago. We did a lot of research and reached out to different rescues. One thing that helped was being really open about our home life and lifestyle. Some rescues want to ensure the pet will be in a good environment. It’s also okay to ask questions! 

Fostering before committing to long-term adoption is a great way of helping an animal in need of a new home, while also offering you the chance to check they are well-suited to your lifestyle and happy in your home. Even if it doesn't lead to an adoption, you are still offering a dog or cat the chance to experience life in a home environment, assessing their needs before they move on to their forever home. 

In terms of separation anxiety, slow and steady is most definitely the best approach. Many dogs and cats who have spent time in the rescue system can find it difficult being left, as your home may be the first place they've felt safe and secure. Ensuring your rescue has enough exercise and enrichment will go a long way in helping them settle at home alone. You can also reduce their anxiety at being left by desensitising them to triggers that signal a departure. Pick up your keys, or put on your coat, and then return to whatever you were doing within the home. Open the door and then close it again - these small steps make these cues as insignificant as possible, to the point they hardly react before you leave the house. 

Once you have set everything up for them, you can then start leaving them for very short periods of time. This may be something as simple as leaving them in their safe space behind a baby gate for a few minutes, or closing the door behind you before going back into the room again. If your pet shows no stress signals (hiding, pacing, panting, yawning, whining, for example) you can then start leaving them for very small periods of time. Keep it to just a few seconds at first, making sure it isn't long enough to build any anxiety or stress. Then, gradually increase the time from a few minutes to a few seconds, returning calmly and without fuss. It's important not to rush the steps, letting your dog or cat guide you based on how comfortable they seem with the process. 

I see it's been a while since you've posted, but I'm curious—has anyone had experience with fostering before adopting a rescue? I’ve been thinking it might be a good way to ease into it and really understand the animal’s needs before making a full commitment. Also, how do you deal with separation anxiety in rescues? Mine gets really stressed when I leave, even just for a short time.

Thanks so much lovelies! I'll definitely take all of this into consideration! :)

I completely agree with Harry, I think rescues are working to find the right match, and may feel the dogs you've applied for aren't a good fit. As a volunteer home-checker I would advise giving as much information as possible in your application as to the home environment and type of dog you're looking for - this is always helpful to speed up the process. Best of luck with your search! 

The best advice I can give you is don’t give up!! Rescues are just trying to find the best possible match for their animals, and they may not have the perfect pet for you right now, but who knows, maybe in 3 months, 2 weeks…? You just have to be patient. I waited almost a year before a rescue offered me Mags :)

Yeah it was very hard for me as well. I ended up purchasing a puppy even though I was ready to adopt...but because I have a full-time job, no rescue was willing to let me adopt a dog.

I have a friend who works in a shelter and she tells me that unless you chase after the rescue constantly, you will get forgotten in the pile of potential adopters. So I think you just have to be super determined and pushy. If you’re set on a rescue, call them every week, remind them what you’re looking for, update them on your living situation etc…

It is getting increasingly hard to adopt, especially because there’s so much demand nowadays, so rescues are bound to find adopters, even if they’re very picky. I’d recommend looking for smaller rescues, they’re generally less picky than the bigger, well-known rescues.