I have to say something

[Tonya]

Hi, this isn't directed towards anyone in particular. In fact this isn't a thing that I see just at Pet Talk, I hear it from many animal lovers. It really bothers me how I hear things to the sort of "That horrible person bought this animal, they couldn't deal with it and they just gave it up." I've heard that gripe time and time again, different scenarios and different animals.

First I want to say I DO believe that everyone should know what they are getting into before they get an animal. They should do the research. They should be sure they are financially, physically, and mentally capable to take care of the animal. They should be sure that everyone in the home agrees with taking on a new pet.

But on the same line, there are unforeseen circumstances sometimes. You don't always know what is happening. What if that person is dying of cancer? They want their animal to go to a loving home before they leave. They are to stressed to think of a better way to get rid of them, so they leave them at the pound. What if that person is moving across the country to take care of an ailing relative and the relative's home can't have pets?

Or what if they are an irresponsible owner? Do you want to discourage them from giving their animal a better life? Wouldn't you rather see the pet in a good home?

Mistakes happen. I found a small puppy on the side of the road once. Of course I was going to pick him up and take him home. I had no idea what his breed was. I later found out he was a queensland heeler. I had no idea about this little guy's past or about the breed. I tried to keep him. I kept him for probably nine months. He was miserable. He was aggressive, destructive, and depressed. I was afraid to take him to a no kill shelter because I'd seen other pet lovers condemn people who give up their pets. Finally, I decided that he would be happiest out of the city. A rancher answered an ad in the paper. He was so happy to have Ricky. When I went and visited Ricky on the ranch a month later, he was an entirely different dog. I pulled up, and he was out in the field running next to the tractor. It brought tears to my eyes. He was so happy! I was so glad that I gave him a better life instead of trying to make him happy in the city.

My son has had asthma and frequent colds all of his life. His colds and congestion are so bad that he is partially deaf. I just found a few months ago that he is allergic to cats and dogs. My beloved animals are what has benn causing the problems all this time. I am doing everything in the world to keep my pets. The poor guy is getting shots once a week to build his system up. He's on allergy medicine, I have hepa filters, I am washing my pets frequently, dusting and vacuuming everyday, you name it. I am not sure if it is going to work. As you all know, I have a ton of pets. What if my son's allergies don't go away? Do I get rid of my son? Or is some stranger that doesn't know me going to tell a story about how some $%#$ gave up a houseful of animals because she was to busy for them?

Now, like I said before, this isn't towards someone directly. I just want you all to think about this. Please, don't be to quick to judge when someone gives up animals. Even if they are bad owners. If they are bad owners, good riddance. At least they are acknowledging it and giving the animals a better life.

[aly]

I am one of those people who gripes about people giving up pets, HOWEVER of course I understand unforseen circumstances! I actually had a lady with cancer come to my shelter and hand me her three cats. I cried with her and I hugged her and told her they'd be well taken care of. There's a big difference in that situation as opposed to the situations where people come in handing me animals because they're moving to California the next day or some other stupied reason. I highly doubt anybody here is talking about those unforseen situations when we talk poorly of people who give animals away. I think you may be reading a bit too much into it.

I have to witness a lot of bad situations and experience a lot of irresponsible people with all my work in shelters. It is really horrendous and painful to encounter on a daily basis. I think that gives me a right to call Joe Blow stupid and irresponsible for throwing his 13 year old Lab at me saying he's too big (umm yeah, he all of a sudden grew after 13 yrs?).

PS - can you edit out the cuss word? We have some youngsters on the board. Thanks!

[primabella]

I understand what you are saying. Hey, I get very upset when people give up their dogs for stupid reasons (for 'good' reasons, that's a different story) But I did something before that now I hate myself for it.

Last year, I brought a dog home form a BYB. I didn't know she was BYB until I found out what one was. She lied about everything, telling us the dog was 3 months old (he was already huge and obviously previously owned.) We bought the dog on impulse, putting this idea in our minds that he was the right dog for us. Huge mistake. We brought him to the SPCA a day later. I hate myself for doing this. It sort of makes me a hypocrite, doesn't it? But then I learned research and patience are key to getting the right pet for you. It helped me find the right pet: Mickey. The reason I hate seeing people do the mistake I made, is because I know I was one of those people who don't think before they act. I'm surprised no one had actually told me off or given me a hard time about what I did. But in a way I believe I helped save that dog. Staying in that tiny cage in the country, in a cold shed is tortue. He was adorable and gentle, I'm sure he got adopted right away. It's just I felt so guilty for what I did now when I hear people gave away their dogs because he wasn't right for them makes me mad. Maybe it makes me mad at myself I don't know. Does this make any sense? I don't even know, I think I lost myself back there...

[primabella]

Oh and by the way...

Originally posted by aly
I am one of those people who gripes about people giving up pets, HOWEVER of course I understand unforseen circumstances! I actually had a lady with cancer come to my shelter and hand me her three cats. I cried with her and I hugged her and told her they'd be well taken care of. There's a big difference in that situation as opposed to the situations where people come in handing me animals because they're moving to California the next day or some other stupied reason. I highly doubt anybody here is talking about those unforseen situations when we talk poorly of people who give animals away. I think you may be reading a bit too much into it.

I have to witness a lot of bad situations and experience a lot of irresponsible people with all my work in shelters. It is really horrendous and painful to encounter on a daily basis. I think that gives me a right to call Joe Blow stupid and irresponsible for throwing his 13 year old Lab at me saying he's too big (umm yeah, he all of a sudden grew after 13 yrs?).

PS - can you edit out the cuss word? We have some youngsters on the board. Thanks!

I agree with aly

[wolfsoul]

I once had a gorgeous red siberian husky named Cheeko. He was an unexpected "present" from my grandma who took him from someone who could no longer care for him. I spent over one hundred dollars worth of treats on that dog. But unfortunatly, I was only ten years old, and knew nothing about this breed, and neither did my mom.

He spent his days tied to our clothes line. Never had a walk, never was let off. I wasn't allowed to take him off. My mother was the irresponsible one for letting us keep him in the first place.

And then one day, while I was at school, she brought him to the Spca. It was better for Cheeko. He was a gorgeous husky, I'm sure he got a home right away. We couldn't give him what he needed, and he was such a sweetheart who needed all the love in the world.

[KYS]

I also have no patience when it comes
to Pet owners who give up their dog for "no" good reason,
or do not take proper care of their pets.

I also remember when I was young, I too made
mistakes that I still regret/feel guilty about today.
I think that is why I am a such stickler for pet care.

Their are always exceptions, and sometimes
the kindest thing to do, is to find a good home
for a pet under certain un-foreseen situations.


JMHO

P.S. Tonya
I bet your allergiest told you to keep dogs and
cats out of the house and vacuum.
Also if your child does pet the pets, make
sure he washes his hands right away before
he touces his face etc.
Good luck!
I still take allergy shots, I have taken them off
and on since I was 5 years old.

[Tonya]

Thank you guys for understanding. Sorry about the swear word, I just get a little frustrated on this subject.

I think of my pets as my children, so here is another comparison regarding condemning people who give up their animals. Here in California (and probably alot of other places) women were abandoning their unwanted newborns left and right. The babies were getting dumped off just about anywhere and often died. So, there was a new law passed. Just bring the baby to a local hospital, they'll ask no questions and take the baby. I kind of look at animals the same way. If we condemn people for giving their animals up, they are more likely to dump then off on the side of the road. -Or even worse some people kill the unwanted litters.

p.s. KYS, unfortunatly I adopted a declawed kitty, so she has to stay inside. The other one has claws, so I let him out. I keep the big dogs outside and the little one inside. I just mainly try to keep all the animals out of Jaden's room.

[kittens]

of course there are those situations that happen but they are rare, and people giving up on their pets is very common, happens every day. and they , the ones that do that are irresposible, so yes the pet is better off, but not when they have to be pts!
what you did was wonderful. you saved a dog then found him a home to be happy in! nothing at all wrong with that!
I just hate people who treat animals as disposable toys, something to entertain them for a while, til it gets too big or is inconvienent. like the worker guy at my house the other day. he has cats, his wife and he, do. and so does his parents. the parents keep thiers inside...
...but he keeps his outside, he siad the smart ones are still alive, the dumb ones got eaten. oookkkkkkkkkI was ready to really boil over but he left just ehn for a minute, good thing.
stupid jackass, the dumb one is the one telling the story! they stratched the furniture. oh pleeeeease! I just can't say anything else, he was just too stupid to get it. and I told him about Ca;llie, how she used to pee outside the box but doesn't but dumb braindead morons like that won't listen.
hey maybe one of these days he will get shocked while working...just minorly of course!

[carole]

Yes Tonya there are always exceptions to the rules,but there are too many people who do treat animals as disposable these days and its very sad indeed
Keep trying with those allergies, as ive mentioned many times i was allergic to cats for over 18yrs, just developed suddenly, my son has asthma too, and now i have had Ash for three yrs and Lexie for 3mths, and my allergy has improved, you can desensitize yourself, and thats what i think has happened in my case, i do still have the allergy and problems, but they are much less severe than before, so DONOT give up on your pets, because of your sons allergy, things may improve, good luck .

[Tonya]

Thanks for your support, Carole! It will be a few years worth of trying before I give up on my pets! I love them way to much. Fortunately, if all else fails, my brother did say that he will take ALL of my pets. My dogs and cats go over there all the time, so it wouldn't be totally traumatic for them.

[Twisterdog]

There's a world of difference between giving up a pet because your child is allergic to it, and giving up a pet because of any number of stupid reasons we hear at shelters all the time .... "He got too big. We didn't know he would shed. She barks too much. He jumps on me. She keeps having kittens. She sheds on the new couch. We didn't know they would get any bigger. Etc, etc."

Maybe one out of fifty people that give up a pet to a shelter has a valid, legitimate reason ... and those case are heartbreaking for everyone involved. The other forty-nine losers just serve to make shelter workers and pet-lovers everywhere very irritated, bitter and angry.

unfortunatly I adopted a declawed kitty, so she has to stay inside. The other one has claws, so I let him out. I keep the big dogs outside and the little one inside.

And, here's my sure-to-be-unpopular opinion on this matter: While I'm happy to see you keep your declawed cat inside, IMO, your other cat should stay inside as well. It's a hellishly dangerous world for cats outside, and the lifespan of an outdoor cat is a fraction of the lifespan of an indoor cat. Everyday I see cats that have been hit by cars, killed by dogs, caught in traps, tortured by evil people, etc. Not to mention the fact that it is incredibly rude, IMO, to put your pet outside where it becomes a bother to your neighbors. My dogs stay on my property ... why do my neighbors cats come into my flower beds and use them as litter boxes, walk on my cars and make my dogs bark incessently at 3:00 am? Not fair.

I also hate to see "big dogs outside and the little one inside". I see this all the time with my customers dogs ... the little poodle we just groomed is laying on the couch, and the big lab mix is staring sadly in through the patio door, because it can't come inside, too. I think ALL dogs and ALL cats belong in the house with their families, regardless of claws or size.

I personally believe that if one cannot/will not keep their pets inside with the family, that the pet most likely would be better off in another home. Just my two cents worth, coming from fifteen years of experience in animal related work.

[aly]

Originally posted by Twisterdog

I also hate to see "big dogs outside and the little one inside". I see this all the time with my customers dogs ... the little poodle we just groomed is laying on the couch, and the big lab mix is staring sadly in through the patio door, because it can't come inside, too. I think ALL dogs and ALL cats belong in the house with their families, regardless of claws or size.

I personally believe that if one cannot/will not keep their pets inside with the family, that the pet most likely would be better off in another home. Just my two cents worth, coming from fifteen years of experience in animal related work.

I absolutely agree. The little dog inside/big dog outside thing just kills me. People come in to my shelter ALL the time saying they have "big outside dogs" and need a "little inside dog". I inform them that every single one of our dogs are INDOOR dogs, even the 100+ pound doggies!

[wolf_Q]

I absolutely agree with you Twisterdog!!!

[kittens]

twisterdog, hear hear! I agree totally! well I do think dogs should be able to go outside, but not be kept out there. parks are a good place to take them to run.

[Tonya]

My big dogs once were house dogs, but like I said, my son is allergic to animals. Do you think it would be better to rehome them? We're an active family outside most of the day everyday, so I don't think there is anything wrong with it. We take our dogs everywhere we go.

I really don't want to get into the grand cat debate again. Ron was an outdoor cat to start with. I tried my darndest to keep him inside. He was miserable, he got fat, and all he did was try to get out. Finally, he got loose one day, and I found out that he just wanted to roll in the grass. I don't want to take that freedom from him. I'd feel bad making him stare out the window all day when he wants to go out. I'd rather give him a short happy life then a long depressed one. He rarely leaves my yard. He lies with the neighbor cat all day long and enjoys the sun. I am in a low traffic area, in a well established neighborhood (no wild animals).

I think alot of you are way to critical. Just like child rearing, there are a thousand ways and not everyone agrees. Just because one of us chooses to do things one way and you the other, doesn't mean that we are horrible owners. Most of us love our animals more then anything and want to do what it best. I understand that many of you have seen preventable animals deaths and injuries. So have I.