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Sunday, January 2, 2011

What Is a Good Excuse To Surrender Your Dog(s) to a Shelter?


When I saw the above quote I immediately thought of the many dogs who are given away when they no longer fit into their family's lifestyle after having been the focal point of their lives when they were young and impressionable.


I also thought about the confusion, anger, and frustration that is sure to grip the minds and hearts of dogs who are given up for adoption after forming a strong bond with their family members. I also think of the dog's who sit day by day hoping those familiar footsteps will walk up to their kennel and take them home but it never happens and then they are left with no choice but to wait for someone else to love them.




My heart is broken when I read about dogs who are left to fend for themselves in the streets or in the wild because many get sick, injured, or worse because they aren't accustomed to that lifestyle.

From what I've learned from my own pets, Daisy and Buster, they love me unconditionally no matter what my mood, financial situation, or schedule may be so I cannot comprehend how someone could betray that love by abandoning them.

In my opinion, pets are family members forever but if owners think it is necessary that they can no longer live with them there had better be a very good reason for it! What reason(s) can you think of for giving a furry family member away?



32 comments:

  1. I agree to an extent I know someone that could not give the dog the attn he needed because of a chg in the family structure and the dog suffered. He found a gd home for him with other dogs and the dog is much happier. It was very hard on the owner, he didn't want to do it but knew that the dogs best interest was more important than his. He didn't leave him in a kennel or shelter he found a gd home for him and does get to see him and I've seen photos, the dog is very happy w his new sibs

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  2. We think there is never a good excuse to get rid of a pet BUT there are good reasons to rehome a pet.

    Basically, the people who have no conscience will have and use any excuse... the people who are heartbroken and thoughtfully find a good home will have a good reason.

    Sam and Pippen

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  3. I've been involved in rescue for more than 10 years now. I have heard a lot of excuses, and just when I think I heard them all, I hear of a new one--The worst I think I heard was from a very well known politician (who I won't name) gave up their Golden Retriever because it didn't match the other one and didn't look good sitting on the lawn...You can't make that up...But when I've picked up a dog from someone who had one of the excuses mentioned, I'm always just thankful that the dog is going to get a better life and I appreciate that they thought of rescue and for that one thing, they have my respect--It's the thoughtless ones who leave dogs like our boy Hamlet in their garage after it's foreclosed on that don't...

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  4. totally agree with the above!

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  5. Grrrrr......Bad People.....Grrrrr

    Wyatt

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  6. This is a hot button for me. I cannot IMAGINE giving up any of my pets for ANY reason. I guess some people just don't think like I do, sadly.

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  7. That image is heartbreaking. When my Mommeh was a volunteer at a cat shelter, she said it was so hard to see how sad and confused and scared the cats were after being abandoned at the shelter.

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  8. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I agree with Daisy, I could barely look at that photo.

    Pets bring so much to us...so much unconditional love and all that they ask for is for us to care for them, give them the best home possible and to love them back. That isn't too much to ask. I am like you, my babies ARE my BABIES...not PETS, but FAMILY

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  9. I'll admit, when we first picked Aschiuta as a puppy off the streets, she was so restless and I was so confused, I was about to give her to my grandfather who lives in a house with a nice yard. I'm glad we didn't give her away and now, even if my mom kept trying, we're not giving up on her.

    She was very sick at first too and the vet helped us a lot with discounts and advice. There are always people who give a hand to others who want to help animals, so most of the times, owners shouldn't give up on their pets.

    At least not for "excuses" like "it got boring when it grew up".

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  10. Your post made me think of this

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS-jkkcdHZI

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  11. I agree. I cannot imagine ever not having Milly and Shelby. they are my babies. I mean, to just ditch them? It makes my heart break to just think about it. I do not understand how people can be so cruel. I have been to shelters and it just kills me to see all those dogs and cats... some of them seem to have lost all hope. I just want to take them all home... but then I have to come back to reality. And the reality is that I can't. Thanks for posting this. I wish people who dump their animals had hearts and could understand.
    ~Maggie

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  12. OH I talk to my hsuband about this a lot. About how what is going through the pup/dog's mind about what is happening. Everytime we get in the car they dont know where we are going. So when the relaize when their owner (the ones that they LOVED unconditionally even if they made a couple mistakes) was not coming back how devistating that is. I dont think its any excuse. They are my family and you dont just trade that in.. I cant imagine.

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  13. Well, Franklin and I have both been through that, of course. It's not easy, I'll tell you. We're both very lucky to have found homes where we're finally feeling secure. But I do have to say that it would be easier to change this if society in general were more supportive of keeping one's pets no matter what. No one would ever expect you to just give up a family member when circumstances change and no one would expect you to evacuate in an emergency without your kids or Grandma. And yet, if people won't just let their pets go in a difficult situation everyone acts like they're crazy. It's not an excuse, usually, but there is that, too.

    lotsa licks, Lola

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  14. Couldn't agree more! People just don't think.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  15. I couldn't agree more. I volunteer at a shelter and have actually witnessed cats stop eating and pretty much give up on life after being abandoned. We have also had people give up animals because they have redecorated and the cat/dog no longer matches the sofa. Seriously! Of course, now there's also all the foreclosure animals. It is a terrible thing!

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  16. This poster breaks my heart. I totally agree - pets are family members, and shouldn't just be abandoned. And even in extreme circumstances, one should find another home for the pet instead of just dumping him or her in a shelter.

    Pip - I cannot believe people gave up animals because of redecorating. That's absolutely horrible. :(

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  17. One of the headlines yesterday on the BBC news website was how, once more, the RSPCA and many other rescue shelters are inundated by unwanted pets given as "gifts" over christmas.

    This poster says it all really. The more people treat animals as commodities rather than as intelligent creatures capable of feeling physical, psychological and emotional pain, the more animals will suffer. Awful.

    Take care
    x

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  18. We can't imagine giving away a member of the family - ever!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  19. Would I ever get rid of one of my babies? Over my DEAD body!!

    I can't stand people who get rid of their fur-babies for no good reason.

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  20. The comments above are well said. Without piling on, all I can say is this:

    Sometimes human circumstances require normally gentle, caring people to feel they have to do the unthinkable; jettison a piece of living ballast from their sinking ship of a life. I'm not sure I can judge them! All I can do is hope they have enough compassion to give their unwanted pet a CHANCE to live a good life somewhere else. Lady came to me via a Golden rescue group. Her previous owner was kind enough to seek out this group. She was not mistreated in any way. I have made a conscience decision to never buy another dog again; only adopt. Lady is the first, but not the last of my adopted friends. Wish more people would open their hearts and homes.

    Here is the latest rescue story from the Northwest:
    http://www.castanet.net/news/West-Kelowna/59224/Freedom-bus-rescues-dogs

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  21. This is a tough question! I think a lot of people DO give pets up for frivolous reasons. However, sometimes it's true that a pet and owner just aren't a good fit. We added a beautiful German Shepherd to our family this past year who just wasn't getting what she needed from her previous family. Her owner loved her (and still keeps up with her through our blog) but realized that they just weren't active enough to make her happy. Their loss is our blessing! Morgan is happy as a clam to go hiking with us every weekend and dog sport classes once a week, along with trips to the dog park when we can get there. She's a girl who needs a job and needs to be kept busy. Her previous family had two busy young children and a lifestyle that just couldn't give her those things. Not every dog is perfect for every family, but I think there's a perfect family out there for every dog! We have been so blessed in our family with the dogs we have chosen to share life's journey with, but I think a lot of the success in that comes from planning many things BEFORE you get a pet. Not enough people realize what they're getting into, and some things can't be helped, but a lot of them can. You have to be honest with yourself about what your limitations and expectations are going into it, and be prepared to do a lot of work. People often comment about how well-behaved our girls are when we take them out, and they are sweet-natured, but a lot of work goes into getting them to that point, too.

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  22. I agree with those friends who stated that sometimes a dog or cat is not the right fit for a family and I applaud the owners for realizing that their pet is not happy or not getting the care they deserve and try to find the right new home for them. I'd rather see owners carefully choose a new situation for their pets rather than to take them to a shelter because I think it's best for the owner to have a relationship with the new owner to keep tabs on them, etc. I like that Houndstooth took Morgan off a family's hands because they could not give her the exercise she needed and now Morgan has a better life. I agree that many people do not research the dog or cat breed before adopting them. For example, the Jack Russell breed are well known to be very hyperactive and need a lot of exercise so this breed needs to live with an active family. I think a lot of the reasons why some pets are given away is because the owners didn't know what their future pet would require for care. Thanks for all of your comments!

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  23. Could never ever understand giving up a furry kid
    Benny & Lily

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  24. That is one good thing about responsible breeders. We had to fill out a long questionnaire and be interviewed before we got to adopt Ryker. Jamie was very through and that is why all her pups are in healthy happy homes and made good fits. Good breeders have their pups evaluated for personality and temperament and place them appropriately.

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  25. I couldn't imagine having to give up my Boxer baby FOR ANY REASON. Finacially they are a lot of responsibility and sometimes we struggle with that, but luckly we have a vet that understands hard times and lets up pay differently.

    But just because you move or have new additions to family isn't a good reason to "rehome" your pet. They are FAMILY and they LOVE us no matter what we do. This is a hot topic for me as well!

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  26. Our two girl dogs have been adopted from the Humane Society. As were our two girl cats. The boy cat was dumped on the road and now he is ours! They are all our babies, our sweet treasures. No way would we dump them, give them, relocate them, move them, donate them or sell them. They know us, and love us. They know their house, their environment, where they feel safe and loved.

    The picture you posted almost brought me to tears. I totally agree with you!

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  27. People giving up their pets sickens me to no end. I would never in a million years abandon or get rid of my dogs...they are my children! They are completely dependent on me for survival. People think that "oh they are just dogs" when they are turning them into a shelter, or worse, leaving them on the side of the road, but these are the same dogs that loved you unconditionally, and now you are letting them down. Dogs have emotions and trauma effects them in so many ways. My heart literally breaks everyday for the dogs in shelters and the homeless dogs wandering the streets.

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  28. I'm tearing up at work as I read this and look at that sad photo. NO EXCUSES WHATSOEVER! IDIOTS EVERYWHERE!

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  29. NEVER would I give up one of my furbabies, they are not just dogs, they are a part of our family and a part of our own families. If it came down to where I absolutely had to (which it never will), I would find a good family for them to live with rather than dumping them in a pound.

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  30. We adopted a dog who was 5 years old at the time. She was a very gentle dog and we loved her so much. The reason we had to surrender her back to the local shelter was because she had extreme separation anxiety and she would cry and run around all day while we were at work/school and she would destroy anything we left her with so we had to keep her in a a large kennel with food water and a toy. She would she would have accidents everyday in the kennel and we could not find any way to help her. We bought one of those vests that are supposed to help but she somehow got it off. We also took her to a profesional animal trainer guy many times to help us help her feel more comfortable. Nothing worked for her and we didn't want to put her on medication because we decided a different home with someone who was home most of the time would be best like a stay at home mom or a retired person. I do not know if she was ever adopted she was a very sweet dog and I miss her so much. We gave her back to them about a year ago and I am too afraid to call and ask because I am worried they might have euthanized her and I don't know if I can stand to know the truth.

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