08/13/2019
Seriously?! We realize circumstances can happen BUT the ones they list are horrible reasons to leave your babies💔🐾
I’m going to post this here because, well, society needs a bit of a wake up call when it comes to pet ownership and the commitment that goes along with it. Whether you adopt an animal, buy one, acquire one for free, agree to take one in as your own when asked by a friend, or whatever the case may be, you take on the responsibility of caring and providing for that animal throughout their lives, and that involves a lot of problem solving along the way. We always have an overwhelming number of owner surrender requests, but with our rescue currently being closed to intake, the requests keep rolling in, and I’ll be honest.... they are some of the most ridiculous reasons for surrender and it’s time we shared.
We have been asked to intake animals simply because after 9 years of ownership, the family “can no longer manage the dog’s barking”. That dog hasn’t barked unreasonably since coming into care. In fact, she only barks out of excitement during meal time.
We were asked to take in a dog that defecates in the home and barks due to separation anxiety. This dog has since gone to daycare and has not had even 1 accident even in that environment.
Another case that we were contacted about is a cat needing intake because the new puppy chases her. We were told she may face euthanasia if they can’t find a place for her to go. The cat is 7 years old and lived with the family since it was a kitten. I bet it never thought that the family deciding to get a puppy would be it’s death sentence. I mean, it is a healthy, 7 year old, litter trained, friendly cat. What the bloody hell?!
And then there are the two cats who belong to a woman with a rude, pushy husband. He decided that the cats aren’t allowed to stay even though they are 4 years old, bonded, healthy, litter trained, friendly, and described as “the best cats ever” by the woman owner. She is agreeing to his demands and currently looking for placement. Oh, and it had better be quick because they were supposed to be gone a week ago... 🙄One can blame the husband entirely, but we also must consider that this woman is agreeing to do this rehoming. We can really tell how much she loves these cats by her decision. 😒
My point is that society needs to educate one another about the commitment, the costs and benefits of owning a pet, the life expectancy, and the reality of what is involved in owning a pet, and have higher expectations of those who are buying, adopting, and acquiring pets in general. People need to be practical and not selfish in their choice to acquire a pet, and they need to be honest with themselves about the time, money, and willingness to be flexible when it comes to their new potential pet. There is nothing in this world that would make me give up on my pets. Not one thing at all. I get that isn’t everyone, but perhaps for those who don’t see pet ownership as a serious thing needing that kind of commitment, perhaps they just shouldn’t get a pet at all. Maybe babysitting a friend’s pet is better for those with commitment issues.
I’m the one in the picture with my beautiful girl, Gemma. She was adopted in 2013 and was how I got involved in this crazy, mixed up thing called rescue. She has since been through numerous medical and behavioural issues. We’ve worked through them all, found ways to accommodate for her ever changing needs, and I can’t picture my life without her. Rehoming her when I started a new relationship, moved, or when she just cost me a fortune was never a thought that crossed my mind and it never will. She is my family and I would do anything for her. That is what we want for all animals.
Perhaps someone out there will read this and rethink things a little and embrace their animals a little more like they would family, and perhaps that will be one less animal in the system. Then perhaps someone will read this, get offended, and defend their choices for having rehomed in the past. Perhaps. But I beg you, if that IS YOU, to please just make more responsible choices moving forward. Our pet’s lives are what we make them. Don’t acquire an animal just to make its life one filled with loss, loneliness, or fear. There are enough homeless animals out there already living that life. I’d prefer if our rescue only had to find homes for those who didn’t already have owners, and lately, it seems there are more out there with “loving” owners who just give up. Anyway, I have more intake requests to respond to, so that’s my 2 cents for the day.
~Amanda
