Many of you think I'm "mean.'' Here's my point of view....

[vicki2x2]

I totally agree! We have rescued many an animal.

Awhile back, I ran into some people we knew years ago and we were chatting. She was telling me how they got a daschund puppy for her MIL for Christmas and kept it for a month, then was so attached they couldn't give it up, even though they couldn't housebreak it. I asked about their other dog, the one I remembered. Oh, well, he had lived in the back yard because they couldn't housebreak him (see a theme here?) and once he got out and got hit by a car, so he had this limp, and then when they got the puppy he was too rough with her so they took him to the pound. She stated she was sure they found him a nice new home. I just stared at her. I couldn't tell for sure, but I think she was serious. So I said that, are you serious??? She said yes, why?? So I told her and she was not very happy with me, OH WELL!!

I said, you took your 11 year old, untrained, not housebroken, gimpy dog to the pound and you think they found a home for him? PLEASE!!! They put dogs down every day that are young, healthy, housetrained, etc including puppies. They probably put him down before you left the parking lot!! She was visibly upset and for a minute I felt bad, then I got over it and felt bad for their poor dog they abandoned and the next one that will probably suffer the same fate.

 

[go-veggie]

Quote:
So true...if all animal rescuers had to deal with were the true emergency surrender situations, the world would be a better place. There are some situations, like you described, where a person's pet ends up desparately needing a home. That is what shelters should be there for, but with all the greedy, lazy, ignorant, abusive, unmotivated people out there who, for example, refuse to spay and neuter, or like another poster said, make their pets have litters for their personal enjoyment, we are in this terrible situation with an over abundance of animals who are being abused and killed every second. It's sad. I wanted to acknowledge your good point, about the people who really can't keep their pets and absolutely have to surrender them.

 

[Anny]

::applause::

I've worked in a busy over crowed animal shelter for the past year and half, and I've heard it all.

 

[go-veggie]

Quote:
Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have to be the voice for the voiceless! People need to hear the truth!

 

[speckledhen]

Edited to stay out of this discussion, on second thought.

 

[spook]

I am one of those people that doesn't have a dog, not that I don't like them, but I prefer cats instead, and I live within a 1/4 mile to the lake where city folks have their summer homes. Needing some help with rodent control they get a kitten each spring because they are cute and tend to mousing, keeping the kids company too. At the end of the summer they let puss'n boots out for the last time,after all he/she has enough rodents to eat, my woodshed is blessed with starving kitties- because we dont have a dog...and there is a welcome sign kitty high down on the lake. Grrrr, so I feed, catch and send about 4 or 5 cats a year, so straved there hair is breaking off, bones showing and vicious from the fights they have had to survive when meeting up with another cat.
Anyways, it sickens me that I cannot keep each one, I have adopted some of these cats through the years, mainly the ones that couldn't be adopted and I wanted them to have as much quality time as possible.
If you are one of these people, think about it first. More then likely you that are here are not the type to be that cruel.
Thank you for listening to my rant!

 

[DuckyBoys]

I don't know - I see it a little different. Is it really anyone's business whether or not the person who gives up a pet is "sincerely in an emergency" situation?

In my opinion no. Sure there are those who just don't care, but I'd be willing to bet most people do care - they just have other priorities, which may or may not be in line with the priorities of those who rescue animals.

So the argument then is - they shouldn't have pets if they can't guarantee them a forever home.

I say says who? Why do those who are rock solid stable get to decide that those who are less so can't have pets?

Here's my bottom line about life - it isn't fair and sometimes it bites. Should everyone have to prepare for the worst and deny themselves the happiness of animals just because they can't live up to someone else's standard? Maybe some think so but will anyone really care what a judgemental stranger thinks? Really?

I have to say as well that some rescue people take things to the extreme - especially in the "judgement" department.

Judgement is a funny thing - it makes you feel better about yourself while putting someone else down. Sometimes it is justified and sometimes it isn't. Everyone is guilty of it, but fair people try to with hold it and look at a situation ojectively.

Rarely are things cut and dry. I just adopted two cats from a lady who had to give them up because she was "moving". Is she a bad lady? No. She's moving to another state where her rental agreement states she cannot have indoor cats. Should she force them to stay outside in an area littered with large predators - or should she find them another home where they will be safe?

Everyone has a story but not everyone cares to hear it. It is so easy to condemn people for not meeting someone else's standard, but people don't respond to condemnation and judgement. They respond to open minds and fairness.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
You're right...things aren't always cut and dry....I've moved a lot of times in my lifetime and to different cities and I've never left an animal behind...very simple...I searched for rentals with my animals in mind just like I'd do with my children ....would I look at places that refused my kids? answer is no I wouldn't.

I hear that all the time that people move but can't take their animals...that's got to be one of the main reasons for dumping that I know of...how can it be that so many people cannot find accomodations for them and their animals ???? and never mind that a lot of places refuse animals, there are still tons that do..Not cut and dried for sure.

 

[texasreb]

When you adopt a pet, it should be for the life of the pet.

If you are of an age or stage in life where you are likely move, go to college, get married, have kids, etc, etc. why don't you think about these things BEFORE getting a pet? Why is that so hard? Don't get an animal if you aren't going to "be available" for it's entire life. To do less is selfish. Why cause the animal the distress of winding up abandoned or in a shelter when you KNOW you're not going to keep it?

If life takes you down one of these common paths, why not take the pet with you? Get an apartment that allows pets if you have one. DUH! Don't date people who don't share your feelings about pets. DUH!

Pets are living beings that have certain basic needs. They are not accessories, pacifiers, toys, tools, etc. to be used and discarded. They are pets and deserve your lifetime commitment.

Hire someone to love you or get a plant. Don't get a pet so satisfy a temporary need.

If you don't like animals or don't wish to be tied down, that's perfectly fine--Don't get one.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

That made me cry. It is really horrible how people can just give up their pets.

A couple months ago, my local shelter got a cat in that was around 13 years old I think, and had bad infections in his gums. They had to remove all of his teeth, and he could only eat wet food. About a month later he got adopted.

How can somebody have a cat or dog, etc. for 13 years and then just give them up. Or the people who have to move into a new apartment and cant have their cat or dog. Well too bad, find a different apartment, dont just give up your pet. People like that are sick.

I hate people who leave their animals at shelters, or just dump them. I HATE them with a passion. They make me SICK!