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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

What Is a Good Excuse for Abandoning a Family Pet?




When I saw this meme on Facebook I immediately thought of the many dogs who are not treated as well as they should even though they were considered part of the family when they first arrived in their new home. 



I also thought about the sadness on the faces of the dogs who were brought to the kennel because their owners suddenly realized their schedule didn't allow for them to spend quality time with their pets, etc. 

I also thought about what must be going through the minds of these dogs as they are uprooted and sent off somewhere with people they aren't familiar with. 


As a professional pet sitter I can attest to the fact that animals do get depressed, lonely, and anxious when their owners are away for the day, the week, and longer so can you imagine the distress and confusion a pet goes through once they realize their owners are never coming back to claim them? 



And what about the dogs who aren't taken to the shelter but are left to fend for themselves? How could anyone with a conscience cast their pets aside in such a thoughtless manner? 

In my opinion, pets are family members for a lifetime but if a pet must live somewhere else there should be a very good reason (such as an elderly person having to move into a nursing home) for it. What are your thoughts?

13 comments:

  1. OUR hearts break into a million pieces when we read about these souls....it is hard for us to understand. We try to help in our own way, we rescue, or we find a suitable rescue .....it is a never ending problem in our world today, i wish i knew the answer. I always remember that starfish story, ...one at a time.
    stella rose's momma

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    1. It is a never ending story that we hear about every day and I know that some people have legitimate reasons to surrender their pets to a shelter but if it were me I would do my best to find a new owner who would adopt my pets first. In fact, when the time comes when I have to sign a will I would put Henry, Buster, and Daisy in there along with the name of the person who would adopt them right in there and I'd have that person sign official paperwork.

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  2. This is why I am boycotting the Olympics this year. You hear what they are doing to the strays over there?

    Its got me convinced more and more that I want to be a permanent dogsitter.

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    1. I read about the disturbing stories and I agree with you. No animal lover should promote the Olympics! Disgusting to read about!

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  3. It breaks my heart to think of how they must feel. Now that we have a furry family member, I cannot even begin to think how depressed Kaito would be if we had to give him away. He gets sad when we leave for a few hours!! He whines when one of his "pack" is not there. That is why we are trying so hard to raise money for his cataract surgery. We want him to see - but we don't want to have to give him for that to happen. Too many hearts would break if he had to leave. I do understand there are some circumstances, for sure. So I won't make a blanket statement it is wrong to do. But there is no excuse to just leave them off the side of the road or whatever. THAT I will NEVER understand!

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  4. We've never turned a dog in - it's a commitment, for better or worse, that we make to each dog. I rehomed a dog once for her safety. She was a little cocker spaniel that would not quit chasing the horses. We kept her separated, but her goal was to get them and she found countless ways to get through the door and through the gates. After one near fatal blow, we realized she wouldn't work in our yard and I found her a new home. I kept in touch with her family though and she was in good hands.

    Monty and Harlow

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  5. Heartbreaking and unthinkable....I have 3 of mine on my lap right now and wish I had a bigger lap to include the other 7. But they're laying on top of my feet so I guess it's OK. I can't even imagine what it would be like if one of the pack wasn't with me everyday. Some people are just so cold and heartless when it comes to animals......animals have feelings too, just like them.

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  6. I will NEVER understand it. I am getting a brother from a rescue for sure
    Lilu

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    1. I think adopting a brother would help your humans and you cope after you lost Benny so much. I can't imagine how much pain you are going through even still without him!

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  7. I don't comment very often anymore on any blog but this post makes me sad. I'm sad not only for the animals who were given up but for the people who felt that they needed to do the best for their animals.

    I have personally had to give up one of my own animals. Life sometimes has a different plan to the one you choose. I was luck that it was my Grandma who took in my cat and I was able to see her quite often. I was heartbroken about what I would do if she hadn't agreed. Sometimes those who have to give up their pets are just as heartbroken as the pets themselves.

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  8. As someone who volunteers in rescue, I've heard so many horrible (and pathetic) stories about how animals end up in shelters. There are very few reasons that seem legitimate for a pet to be re-homed, but even fewer for surrendering them to a shelter. You can post pets on Petfinder as an individual (a preferable alternative to craigslist). Also rescues are often willing to promote a pet needing a new home, even if they can't take them into the rescue. I know mine does this quite often, and it usually works out really well! Additionally, posting fliers at pet stores is another option. It may not guarantee a perfect new home, but if someone is in a pet store, they likely already have pets and care about them, so it's again a better option than craigslist.

    I have four rescue pets (two owner surrender cats, two former stray dogs) and I can't imagine ever leaving these guys for anyone or anything.

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