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.
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