BASILDON DOGS TRUST I am a fully qualified animal behaviourist, so believe l am qualified to comment as such. There are simply no printable words to describe the staff, procedures, policies, strategies and structures at this centre. The attitude of the staff was rude, arrogant, derisory, unhelpful, condescending, unprofessional and judgemental. Their judgements (over every process are based on their own personal value judgments). I have yet to see another “purported professional” Dog Re-homing centre with dogs in such an appalling and tragic state. Unkempt, matted coats - obviously depressed and living in appalling conditions - this is a MULTI MILLION £ ORGANISATION! And dear reader .. that is what it is all about the £££££££££££££ .. The re-homing process makes it impossible for many suitable people to be able to “jump through the many hoops” they put in place. Their knowledge of that dog you may wish to consider is WOEFULLY MISLEADING please be aware of this. My own story started with the inevitable look at their website. I have had the privilege of sharing my life with rescue dogs for over 40 years. I trained as a Psychologist then went on to become an Animal Behaviourist. Following viewing their website l found a pair of 3 year old dogs of a breed (although mixed) l have owned and fully understand their breed traits. I completed the online application form and submitted it. I was contacted within a week. I was offered the opportunity to view the dogs. I drove 100 mile round trip to do so. I was allowed 15 minutes with the dogs who were in a heartbreaking state - (Shitzu) coats matted, neither could see out from overgrown “fringes” - let me tell you dear reader, they were advertised as being “terribly nervous” - this was due in my belief to the way their breed was misunderstood and the treatment they were receiving at this centre. The previous owners had taken both to a professional grooming parlour as l could clearly see a few areas amongst the matted coats that were “professional lines” l was not told that this visit would only last 15 minutes in an outside run - with the overkill of TWO staff present at all times whose attitude towards me was one of derision - may God help new dog owners! I was then told that l must make multiple visits to the centre as “the dogs must get to know you” no dog will “get to know you” in multiple visits (at their appointed times) of 15 minutes, days apart. My heart truly broke for these two beautiful dogs .. I agreed to do 2/3 visits more and could provide a full video viewing of my property and garden. They didn’t wish to see a virtual tour of my home until l had completed many (they didn’t specify the amount of visits required) visits - now l know my home and garden tick all the boxes - they don’t - so, in effect, l could drive up to 1000 miles to see two dogs and then be refused on “some point”. I then took them on in my professional capacity as an animal behaviourist politely at first and latterly assertively. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY.. DOGS NEED RESCUING FROM THE DOGS TRUST financial treadmill. To ALL of you dear folks who have tried to work with this rescue .. don’t please feel bad - it is not YOU! They are NOT FIT to be registered as a re-homing centre - l walked away only to see as l turned my head to look back a St Bernard hardly able to turn around in a glass box looking utterly pitiful .. AVOID THE DOGS TRUST! Choose a good local rescue please! THE DOGS TRUST SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN