MADSODS (Mackworth and District Society of Dog Supporters), Derbyshire

I found Casper as a 8 week pup at Madsods on the net. I fell in love with him and phoned to see if I could view him but a family were viewing him the next day. Fortunately for me and my son they were not suited and went to view this bundle of fluff the next day. He was a beautiful puppy x lots of fun. I asked if I could have him and was told yes. I went to pick him up at 10 weeks old because he needed his last vaccinations. I trained him and have loved him for nearly 9 years now He is my world. I found the people that run Madsods lovely kind and caring. I often look to see there recruits and always feel that I made the right chose to have my dog from a small rescue like Madsods. Because he is my best friend I would always rescue now and recommend anyone else to too. I also met another old resident from Madsods who live in the same area to me and he was just as sweet and lovely xx

We had such a problem with our beloved dog and Madsods gave us such sensible advice and help. There is no doubt that this couple are dog lovers and I am happy to recommend them to other people.

We had read the odd negative thing about Madsods before going to view a particular dog we had seen on their website. We almost didn't bother, but decided to view for ourselves and make our own minds up.

The actual place is a bit run down and overgrown and we weren't sure we had got the right place, however, we were met by the owner, who we had previously spoke to on the phone. Straight away, we saw 'our dog'. She was very excitable, jumping up and smelled of urine, but we took her for a walk and by the time we go back, she had calmed down a little. We asked about having her for a trial but was told that was not offered, neither was a home visit by the owner, to check we were suitable. However, maybe they have seen enough potential new owners to know when the right family comes along? She had had all her jabs, was wormed/flead, and would have been neutered, but she was not yet old enough.

We decided she was the dog for us and collected her a few days later.

Since having her home she has blossomed and is a lovely, funny, gentle natured dogs who just loves to love and be loved. Buying a rescue dog is a gamble, especially from a charity run place such as Madsods, but I think they do the best they can with what they have. The owner seemed to have a genuine affection for the animals and charged us a fair price. To anyone looking to rehome a dog, I would say you could do a lot worse than go to Madsod's and make your own mind up - your perfect dog maybe right there waiting for you, as ours was :)

I rescued a gorgeous black lab called lily from them. I found them to be very sensible and before I signed the adoption paperwork I first brought my own dog along for a walk out with lily. The next day I took her home for the afternoon to see how she got on with my husband and son. She fitted right in and I went back to complete the paperwork. Lily has been part of the family ever since And we love her. The couple running mad sods are very caring and compassionate for dogs and do all they can to find the right home for each dog. I would recommend them to all.

I've had Jake, my rescue Greyhound for nearly 2 years now. When I went to see him at the rescue centre he was very bouncy and chirpy, despite looking sad in the website pictures. That is the sort of dog he is though - bouncy and a happy go lucky sort. We didn't know much about Jake's past and it was a leap of faith, although we had him on a 2 week trial (adoption fee non refundable). It took a few months for Jake to properly settle in, relax, and for me to gain his trust enough to let him off his lead.

Like any rescue dog you will never know what they have fully been through, the mental scars they may have, or see their past through their eyes. I wouldn't be without Jake now, he's my best friend and a wonderful character.

All I can say is, ask to take the rescue dog for a short walk, observe his/her general demeanour, and ask for a 2 week trial. If it wasn't for people like Brian and Debs many unwanted dogs would meet a bad end, and I would never have been fortunate enough to have a lovely canine companion in my life.

We recently collected Alfie a young male Shih-Zu from Madsods for my elderly Mother. He was quite aggressive at the rescue and Brian told us he was previously with an elderly Lady and needed a home with no children. When we got him to my Mothers it was if a switch had tripped in his head and he immediately settled down. Although it early days it seems as though he will be a great companion for my Mum.

I think if you take on a recue dog you need to accept that there may be some issues and like buying a used car you do not always know why the previous owners are getting rid. Like others I did not realise the adoption fee was not refundable but to be honest if things do not work out I would not expect a refund as its not a commercial concern.

This is going to be long....but I suggest you read it before taking a dog from them!

We first heard of MADSODS on the web and saw what we believed was a lovely Border Collie called Blue, aged 3yrs. We travelled over from the far side of Nottingham to see him. When we arrived Brian went to fetch him from his kennel. When he got to the door of the block Blue was going balistic and my words were very similar to "he wants to kill me". Brian brought him out and asked us to stand back due to Blue being "grumpy" and had got a little terratorial. He told us he was not normally aggressive / grumpy and he certainly was not like that when he came in. Brian stated this had only come about since he had been in the kennels. We stood back and Debs took Blue on his lead. My wife took a step toward him and he flew at her, narrowly missing her hand. Brian suggested we go onto the lane to calm Blue down. We all reconvened on the lane and Blue did start to calm down after a few more minutes. We then went along the lane and I took his lead, walked him and talked to him, all seemed fine. We then left and decided to go back to have another look as it appeared Blue's issues were as Brian suggested. We arranged to see him a few days later. When we arrived Blue was as per the original visit but we were told he was "grumpy" because he had been to the vets. Like suckers we believed it and took him for a long walk. One old chap went toward him and offered to pat his head and Blue tried to strike but I was a little quicker than him. We got him back all OK and explained to Brian what had occured but no real response. We decided to take Blue on to join our household and went to collect him the following week. Again (should have realised something was not right)Blue was going hell for leather but we took it that it was due to his environment as Brian had stated and as another rescue centre we had visited had on notices "I'm not normally like this" to explain the attitude of the dogs. Brian told us that Blue had come in with his half brother and whilst the other dog was cowering away from people Blue went up to Brian for a fuss and a cuddle. We took him home and my wifes parents were staying with us for a week. Blue entered the house and flew at dad, mouthing his arm and wrist. He then later had a go at mum. This went on for a few days but eventually he accepted them. They were concerned as were we but we were able to settle him fairly quickly. They went home and some friends visited. They got the same treatment from Blue even though he went to them for a fuss. Our friends were petrified to say the least and I was begining to distrust him. With us, we could do anything, take his food off him, take his chew out of his mouth etc. However, when we took him for a walk he would go berserk at other dogs and people. Due to what we had been told by Brian and Debs we thought he just needed re-socialising. When we went for a walk it was like being on a white knuckle ride without the ride. When he saw a dog on several occasions he ended up all feet of the ground and spinning on his lead. Not good. We decided to employ the services of a dog trainer to try to get him to overcome his issues. When the trainer arrived he went at her and mouthed her hand and arm but no permanent harm done. She assessed him and genuinely believed she could overcome his problems which appeared to be fear. On the trainers second visit we reported that we had similar issues as previously described but he seemed OK on his walk and his re-call was very good unless he latched onto a dog in the fields and we had to get him quicly. At the begining of the following week I took him for his 41/2 mile walk and he was like a dog possessed. Similar the next day but with stern challenges he began to calm down. On the trainers third visit she entered normally and expect him to have a bark and mouth her a little. She did not expect what came, he flew at her and actully meant to hurt her. He caused a rip in her jacket and then started pulling at her sleeve to touse her. She was brilliant, she stopped him and challenged him, calming him down. He was then taken for a walk and except for him deciding to try to chase cars he was OK. Got back home and he had another go at the trainer. Settled down again and a few minutes later had a real go to which he was put to the floor by her followed by being put out the back door. The trainer and I discussed the issues and his manner and it was obvious the dog could not be trusted which was not what we wanted. It was also agreed that Blue's manner did not come from being in the rescue centre for 3 weeks, this was probably why he ended up in the rescue centre. It was decided he would have to go back, we did not want our friends or family being bitten and it was coming. I rang MADSODS and was told by Brian that he was closing for the day and we would have to attend the next day. I tried to insist Blue go back that evening but Brian refused and stated that if we took him back we would have to tie him to the gate and leave him, some rescue centre. We took him back the next morning and when Brian came out of his gate Blue began to kick off, which we expected but nothing like he did when he first saw us and Brian stated that if the dogs attitude was such he was not going to take him into the resuce centre. We did point out that when we collected him he was actually worse. Brian then stated that from what we had told him the dog would get a one way visit to vets. We challenged this and eventually took Blue away as in our opinion if there was a rescue centre who could find him a farm or somewhere where there was little human activity he may settle and be happy. When back a home we looked at a few web sites and found one specialising is Border Collies. We rang them and explained the situation as above. The person we spoke to who was very understanding and knowledgeable advised us that this breed of dog can have neurological issues which can cause this behaviour or he could be suffering with eye, ear or other issues like a tumor. It was suggested we go to a vets and have him assessed but be prepared for the vet to advise he be put to sleep. We went to the vets, he was assessed and the options were laid out. Keep Blue and he would never be allowed to be off his lead in public. He should always be muzzled when out and if visitors came to us he should be put in another room or outside and consider muzzleing anyway. No life for a Border Collie. The vet, the trainer and the other rescue centre were suprised a dog with these issues had been re-homed from the rescue centre. He had clearly not been assessed re any behavioural issues. We explained to the vet that we could do anything with Blue and the vet congratulted us on getting him to that level but it would not be enough to ever trust him and he may one day attack one of us. The decision, as hard as it was had to be made and Blue was put to sleep there and then.

The above is lenghty but only part of what we tried to do to give Blue a new home. However, the rescue centre did not ask to do a home visit to see if our home was suitable. They did not make any contact with us to ascertain if all was well. And when we explained we had a problem, it was not a case of they would take him back and let a vet see if there was anything wrong, it was decreed a one way visit to the vets was on the cards. If you have read this and feel the rescue centre is a suitable place to take a dog from then feel free, but be warned it could all go terribly wrong. And even on their web site they have removed our Blue from it, obviously they don't want you to be aware of any unsuccessful and heartbreaking stories (there is another Blue on there but not ours).

Fantastic people, BUT please be aware that the adoption fee is non refundable under any circumstances. Ask for a home visit/trial with dog before signing on the dotted line.

we would reommend this dog rescue to anybody , we visited 11 months ago to collect our black labrador ( stastky) the dogs are so well looked after by Brian and his wife , from our first phone call to collection the contact was friendly and most welcoming . the adoption fees are not important to us , but the cost Brian charges are very adverage .

Have had hugely good reports of this reacue centre.maureen watts