Disposable Pets?

Question

Why do you think some people feel that it's ok to give away their pets when they are no longer convenient for them or because they want a newer, cuter, younger pet?

Pets should be for LIFE, except in extenuating circumstances. Your dog, cat, horse, rat, whatever wouldn't give you away for a prettier, thinner, better smelling human or give you away because you aren't caring for them the way you should be.It's not fair for them to get attached to you and then just get dumped from home to home or worse, get left at an animal shelter and run the risk of being euthanized for no other reason than the fact that nobody wanted them.

Those of you who think of pets as disposable are not fooling anyone when you say "WE LOOOOOVED FIDO, BUT BUT BUT" No you didn't love your pet, or else you would have done whatever you could to keep the animal with you.

Pets take time and money but they will give back so much more. If you don't have the time or the money for a pet, then DON'T GET A PET!

I meant to post this in general pets.

Oh well. I guess we can pretend this is the right category. I do mention dogs.

Answer 1

I agree with you. Except in extenuating circumstances, a pet should be for life. Let's face it; there are some circumstances where you really have no choice but to find your little one a new home. It's heartbreaking, but it does have to be done. It has happened to me once, and it hurt very much to see my baby walk out the door.

Answer 2

Amen!

My dog is a great example. She was adopted from the shelter as a pup. She was returned to the shelter when she was 11 months old. I guess they didnt' realize the cute little pup they adopted would one day become a DOG.

People always want puppies and kittens... "because they're SOOOOO CUUUUUUTE"... do they not realize that in 6 months they're not going to BE puppies or kittens anymore, but that they will be full sized cats or dogs? Do they not realize that you cannot HAVE a "good" dog without TRAINING IT? Animals are not born knowing how us humans expect them to behave. Nothing bothers me more than when someone gets rid of a dog because they dont' like it's behavior, yet they've done NOTHING to try to correct it.

"Moving, cant keep" is another incredibly lousy excuse. If you rent, you have to REALLY think before getting a pet. Are you willing to spend the extra time and money it will take to find pet-friendly housing in the future? I have ALWAYS had pets, and I have NEVER given up an animal (in my ADULT life... kids vs. parents is another story entirely) due to moving. If a place didnt' accept pets, I didn't bother applying.

Breaks my heart every time I see "10 yr old dog, free to good home"... HOW can you have an animal that long and then give it away???? I can't even fathom what that animal must go through....

Anyway... I could go on... but yeah. I'm with ya.

Answer 3

I could have the same line of thinking due to our volunteering for a animal rescue group, but I can't.

The reasons people give up pets varies so much, and when looked at through the eyes of the owner, sometimes you see the need. It would be much better if there were more counseling for those people at the time they get the pet.

The group I foster/volunteer for treats the animals like children, and the process to adopt one of our pets is tough. That weeds out the people who really should not have pets. Pet stores want to make a buck, and some Humane Societies try to move animals out to homes too quickly. People pick animals on looks, not breed and behavior. Nothing worse than a couch potato style family adopting a German Short Hair Pointer, a recipe for disaster, when they should have a Yorkie.

The great thing about animals, they forgive, forget and learn to love all over again. I see happy pets in new homes all the time. Maybe it's something they should add to school education right there along with Home EC, how to be responsible pet owners.

Answer 4

I think really this idea is far too common that people think pets are disposable. I've already a violation notice because some chick posted a question wanting to know where to find shelters in such in Ohio and while I answered her question by suggesting she try the human society or any number of rescue organizations which are easily located (one web search and I found my cat through one). But the reason why she was asking was apparently her older cat developed an attitude when she introduced a kitten to the househould, making her wanting to get rid of the older cat. I didn't agree with that decision, told her as much and also informed her that most shelters would probably look down on that also as I have friends with personal experience with that.

Answer 5

yes I agree with you. Pets are for a lifetime not just for throwing
away like trash. That's why more people should spay or neuter
their pets to prevent over population. there just isn't enough
homes for all of them. This is why I have 4 dogs, I had 7, but
old age took the other 3 and 2 more are up there in age and it
won't be long and they'll be waiting for me at rainbow bridge to.
All of mine have been rescues except for 1 and I lost him 2 years ago, age 15. In memory of Rascal. a dog is forever!

Answer 6

TOTALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sick of the people who have cats that PEE all over and they "are ready to take them to a shelter!"

Who really thinks that shelters need someones UNADOPTABLE cat that pees all over the house???? In that situation, why cannot people euthanize the cat THEMSELVES rather than make the shelter do their dirty work, while they go about life thinking the cat is soaking up the sun on someones window sill???????? It may not be a popular thought, but taking responsibility for a pet means doing that for LIFE, and knowing when that must end. If you are just going to dump a pet for severe behavior reasons....SHAME ON YOU!!!

I know people that have KNOWINGLY dumped aggressive dogs at a shelter because they didn't want to euthanize either.

People can be COWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I agree most ppl get pet and then for selfish reason when the dog does not act like they feel they should they decide to give them up ppl should research what its takes to take care of a pet are wouldnt it be cool if there was like a pet pre-trial so ppl wouldnt keep getting animals and then getting rid of them

Answer 8

I had a dog and I had to give him away. I really didnt want to but I had to. I was moving into a house where only small dogs were aloud. I know thats stupid right and you probably dont believe me but its true and I was about to die. I was even goiing to move across the US to be with my dog but my mom forced me to stay here. I wanted to run away but I knew I couldnt manage. By the way when I say across the country I mean from Virginia to Utah. So I dont think its fair though to get rid of your pet to get a new pet thats younger+cuter. I think thats stupid.

Answer 9

Amen--Lifelong pet owner of 3 dogs and one cat..They are my children. I have at times when I had little money, that I fed them before myself. They look to me for guidance and love and ask for nothing more. There is no way that I would ever do anything to let them down.

Answer 10

Pet owners definitely need to take care of their pets for life. We are given the responsibility of caring for animals because they can't defend themselves. "Disposing" a pet because it's too old is like throwing away your grandparents when they get too old. WE have the responsibility of making sure our pets are safe and well cared for.