I live on my own in a 1 bed apartment but leave every day at around 7am and don't get back until after 7pm. This would be unsuitable for a dog wouldn't it? Even one from a rescue centre that might be okay being left?

I think you know the answer to that one!

If you have some free time to spend with a dog why not be a volunteer at your local dog/animal sanctuary, the one here is always looking for dog walkers and people to help dogs socialise, maybe yours will too.

I had considered that but I don't have a car so it might be tricky. Will look into it again though.

Get tropical fish. a hamster or a budgie.

You could always get one of your neighbours to check on them every few hours at first.

I'd be really surprised, and disappointed tbh, if any rescue home or responsible private seller sold/homed a dog with you.

Still not fair to leave him for 12 hours on his own even with someone checking on him now and then. And I assume the OP would be going to bed three or four hours after getting home, not to mention having to go out for errands/family/friends, etc. -- so really the dog would be mostly on his own all the time. It's not the best idea.

you wont get a dog from a re-homing unit tbh, if you live in a flat with no garden? plus rescue dogs tend not to have had the best start in life, and its not best that they are left alone for a long period of time.

I would like a dog, but I live in a flat, with no garden only communal, and work from half 7 to 3:15, and i know in my heart of hearts I would not be a suitable dog owner. You may have all the right intentions, but it's really not fair to leave the dog that long tbh.

If you get a small pet like a hamster or especially a budgie, it's better to get a pair if they are being left alone all day.

Depends on the type of hamster. Some, such as Syrians, are solitary and will kill others.

My budgie's wife died and he hasn't missed her one bit. She was always horny and I bet he is glad of the peace and quiet.

He is happy and sings all day. He loves his television.

male budgies are quite happy on their own usually - we got ours a wife and he wouldn't bother with her, so she went out into the aviary, leaving him on his own in his cage. he seemed a lot happier out of her company.

he's quite happy - he plays with the dog. and enjoys kissing that quite handsome budgie in the mirror!

best to ask the neighbours if getting a bird though, they can be quite loud and your walls may not be the thickest.

a dog, when you're out for 12 hours a day... even with a dog walker/pet sitter, it's just not going to be fair really.

you could possibly get away with a cat, if it had access tot he outdoors, but as mentioned above, any rescue centre will likely say no.

Thanks guys. I already have tropical fish!

It's fine. I won't be getting a dog. I knew it wouldn't be fair but just wanted 100% confirmation. I now have that!

Depends really. If you go to the pound and find a little old sleepy dog that is about to be put down, is it better to let it die, or give it a home for the remainder of its life? Personally I would take it in but that's the only circumstance in which I would take a dog that would be left all day.

If you want a pet that will bond with you, I recommend getting a rat. They have the intelligence to form that sort of relationship with an owner.