Info on what animal shelters are like in Germany

[Acton 1,538]

Hi all, Ive been looking for a thread to post this and maybe this fits.

 

We are looking for a dog. Our Boston Terrier Harry died of heart disease a few weeks ago and has left a gaping hole

in our lives. We really loved him.

 

We thought it would be best to find a new dog from the ones at the animal shelter here in Berlin, (Tierhem Berlin) and went there today in person.

We thought we would have a chance to see the dogs that are there and maybe come to a decision on which one we would like to have. Harry was with us for 10

years and he had a good home with us. We did everything together.

 

There were 2 ladies at reception who told us that we couldn't see any of the dogs without an appointment. We were given a card with some phone numbers of 3 buildings where the dogs were kept. we had to phone them all and had absolutely no success. All the people were quite negative and showed no interest in helping us at all..

 

Can anyone here tell me how this can be? Surely the existance of these animal shelters is to help find good homes for the animals.

 

 

[emkay 10,158]

@Acton, I’m sorry for your loss of Harry. It’s such a positive step to pass your love onto another dog. Especially to a shelter dog in need of a loving home. 
 

I helped at a local Tierschutzverein for a few years. Sometimes they can be really awkward about adoption. Most dogs available for adoption were in private foster care. I heard that sometimes, they intentionally made it difficult for dogs to be adopted as so many people aren't genuinely good candidates for adoption. Don’t give up and try other organisations too.  Maybe show photos of your home and of Harry. It’s most likely that a dog adoption will require a home visit beforehand to eliminate anyone that isn’t suitable.

 

I wish you all the best.

 

ETA….My neighbour helps with this animal charity and told me of their many lovely adoptions. 

 

https://www.respektiere.com/cms/index.php

[fraufruit 41,947]

My sincere condolences for your loss, Acton.

 

Pets are family.

[LeonG 14,797]

I have heard from somebody else too that they went to a shelter and were not given the opportunity to adopt.  You can try the link from emkay or you can take a look at ebay kleinanzeigen.

[knotheadusc 521]

I’m so very sorry for your loss.  We lost one of our dogs to lymphoma in 2019, and now our other dog who came with us to Germany has it.  We did manage to adopt another dog from Kosovo in 2020, after a heartbreaking and disastrous attempt to get one from a German rescue.  Our Kosovo dog is a delight.
 

When our dog with lymphoma passes, we might just stick with one dog for awhile.  
 

There are rescue organizations that will work with you, although that might be more expensive than adopting through a Tierheim.  We found our newer dog through Facebook.

[bramble 9,582]

I feel your loss. I believe German Tierheime have become more strict in recent times, often due to pets being returned or handed in in greater numbers than before Corona - irresponsible people were getting dogs due to being at home during Corona restrictions and then getting rid of them again. Besides, shelters spend a great deal of time and money training and resocialising damaged dogs, vet costs etc. It's only prudent to be careful whom you adopt a dog (or cat) out to. 

 

Maybe it is easier to get a new pet from one of the many rescue organisations or from someone private, who is looking for a new home for their pet. There are various reasons - owner too old or sick, or whatever. 

 

I googled the Berlin Tierheim ( https://tierschutz-berlin.de/tierheim/ ) and found that they seem to organise a viewing tour (I believe limited to 12 persons) once a month for which you need an appointment. These events in November and December are already booked out.  

 

Tierheimführungen*

Samstag, 12. November, 13 Uhr
Hier anmelden

Samstag, 10. Dezember, 13 Uhr
Hier anmelden

*Weitere Infos zu unseren Tierheimführungen finden Sie hier.

Though there are consultation appointments every Friday. I remember the days when you could just visit a shelter without an appointment, but the dogs were really stressed out, getting excited and barking all the time. 

 

Regelmäßige Termine

Jeden Freitag, 13-16 Uhr
Beratungstag für Tierinteressent*innen

 

 

 

[Acton 1,538]

Thanks Branble. We have contacted several rescue organizations. We have also been warned that many of these are not serious and are just after

people's money. Surprise!

 

We are not rushing into anything until we have had a chance to see the dog in person.

[knotheadusc 521]

1 hour ago, Acton said:

Thanks Branble. We have contacted several rescue organizations. We have also been warned that many of these are not serious and are just after

people's money. Surprise!

 

We are not rushing into anything until we have had a chance to see the dog in person.

The rescue we tried to adopt from was called Pro Tier.  They are legit, and their dogs and cats mostly come from Sardinia.  Unfortunately, our situation ended very badly, mainly because of COVID.  We were trying to adopt just as the pandemic was starting, and had to hire a pet taxi because we weren’t allowed to travel.  They wouldn’t hold the dog for us until we could travel.  
 

The pet taxi driver the rescue hired got him to our front door, but didn’t have the dog on a leash or in a box when she took him from the car.  He panicked and escaped, and would up a victim of the Autobahn. 

 

That was an extraordinary situation and not the rescue’s fault.  We would try again, as long as we could get the dog ourselves.  I have also heard good things about Polis Pound out of Cyprus, but I do not have direct experience with them.

[Acton 1,538]

Good Lord!!

[fraufruit 41,947]

If you fancy a trip to Crete, john g has a friend, Takis, who has plenty of rescue dogs to give away. I know nothing about the logistics but you could ask john g.

 

I'm not a dog person but that is where I would go. I make donations there occasionally.

[Fietsrad 386]

2 hours ago, Acton said:

Thanks Branble. We have contacted several rescue organizations. We have also been warned that many of these are not serious and are just after

people's money. Surprise!

 

We are not rushing into anything until we have had a chance to see the dog in person.

There are adverts by breeders, a puppy could cost more than a grand. Good business with a litter of six. But you do not know what it will grow up to be, how big. Or how small.

 

Tierheime charge hundreds sometimes, but they do have a lot of expenses for premises, feed etc usw.

[LeonG 14,797]

30 minutes ago, Fietsrad said:

There are adverts by breeders, a puppy could cost more than a grand. Good business with a litter of six. But you do not know what it will grow up to be, how big. Or how small.

 

Tierheime charge hundreds sometimes, but they do have a lot of expenses for premises, feed etc usw.

 

There are plenty of mixed puppies even costing a lot of money and like you said, you don't know what they are unless you see the parents.  A friend bought a puppy from an old lady who said she was selling it for someone else.  It smelled like it had been dipped in perfume and he did not see the parents and it's certainly not the breed he was told but it's still a lovely dog.

[HEM 11,070]

39 minutes ago, Fietsrad said:

There are adverts by breeders, a puppy could cost more than a grand.

 

Our two Yorkies (pure-breed) cost 2000 each in July last year.

They are from the same litter - their sister wins one prize after another - ours ejnoy the outdoors, the riding stables etc.

Photo is from December last year:

 

[Fietsrad 386]

I would go for a Promenadenmischling (Heinz 57)😉

[bramble 9,582]

9 hours ago, fraufruit said:

If you fancy a trip to Crete, john g has a friend, Takis, who has plenty of rescue dogs to give away. I know nothing about the logistics but you could ask john g.

 

I'm not a dog person but that is where I would go. I make donations there occasionally.

 

I donate there regularly as well. Here's the link to his site: https://takisshelter.org/

 

My last dog was a rescue dog from Spain, 2 years old when I got him, died last January at 14 years. He was a fantastic companion. I'm too old to get myself another dog now (still caring for my daughter's 11 year old dog on a daily basis), but if I were younger I wouldn't hesitate to get another rescue dog and I would consider choosing one from Takis. 

 

9 hours ago, LeonG said:

 

There are plenty of mixed puppies even costing a lot of money and like you said, you don't know what they are unless you see the parents.  A friend bought a puppy from an old lady who said she was selling it for someone else.  It smelled like it had been dipped in perfume and he did not see the parents and it's certainly not the breed he was told but it's still a lovely dog.

 

Personally I would avoid these breeders of mixed puppies. They contribute to the already huge population of dogs and they're obviously in it for the money. I also wonder whether they pay tax on their earnings from these sales. 

 

Quote

The breeding and sale of dogs is basically commercial and therefore subject to tax. By the way, this also applies to all stud dog owners who generate income through the breeding acts. If there is a demonstrable lack of intention to make a profit, the result is often "hobby" under tax law. 

https://www.hundeverband.info/index.php/hundehalter/gesetze/234-wichtige-gesetze-rund-um-den-hund#:~:text=Die%20Aufzucht%20und%20Ver%C3%A4u%C3%9Ferung%20von,oft%20die%20%E2%80%9Esteuerrechtlich%20Liebhaberei%E2%80%9C.

 

Also beware of the disgusting puppy mills. 

[LeonG 14,797]

4 hours ago, bramble said:

Personally I would avoid these breeders of mixed puppies. They contribute to the already huge population of dogs and they're obviously in it for the money. I also wonder whether they pay tax on their earnings from these sales. 

 

I'm sure they don't pay tax and these people were extremely lucky they didn't end up with the dog having major health problems which often seems to be the case with puppy mills.   If I had known they were planning on getting another dog I would have told them to preferably look for an adult for rehoming or if it had to be a puppy, at least see the parents and see how the puppies were kept.

[maxie 602]

There are a lot of bad eggs among animal rescues. Some foreign "rescues" are little more than puppy mills, producing animal for handsome adoption fees. Others feature heart-breaking descrptions of poor puppys: siblings have all been adopted and who are sitting on their packed bags. They will not last another winter and are perfect for families with young kids, well socialized etc. etc. A lot of people will then end up with a dog that has never been socialized, more often than not with behavioural issues and a good dose of hear protection breeds. Some German rescues want potential adoptees to basically draw blank and give them info on every single aspect of your lives to the point of being incredibly intrusive and will refuse to give people a dog because they don't like the haircut. It is only got worse during Corona when everybody and their brother wanted a dog but couldn't bring them back fast enough when it was possible to go on holiday again. 

 

A good animal shelter will be open about the dog's issues. They will ask you what you are looking for and make suggestions. They will also point you to trainers should you need one. They will - in general - insist on several visits to get to know the dog, walkies, maybe an afternoon or a trial weekend. A lot of foreign rescues have dogs in foster homes here to be able to better assess them and make it possible for you to meet the dog before adoption. 

 

If you have personal references e.g. from @knotheaduscor @john g., that is also very valuable. If you want another Boston Terrier, you could also look up Terrier rescues. The breed specific rescues are often smaller and a bit more personal. Often the dog will move from one home to the other without having been in a shelter. 

Good luck! 

 

I you were looking for a German shepherd I would have some suggestions  

[Acton 1,538]

I would like to say thank you so much to those who responded with so much support and such good advice.

I was really quite tempted to have a holiday in Crete and to bring a dog back from there, but we don't feel in the holiday mood at the moment,

 

In the meantime, we found a lady here in Pankow who takes rescue dogs from Rumania as a foster mother, so to speak. Today we bought a dog from her

for 400€, which looks like a bargain. His name is Chips, he has a pet passport, all the necessary vaccinations etc and is very friendly and gentlle.. It's his first

day with us and so far, so good,

 

Thanks again!

[fraufruit 41,947]

Congratulations on your new addition!

[bramble 9,582]

That's good news. Is he neutered? How about a photo?