Why do people adopt pets from a shelter and then return them a week later?

Question

I met a guy today who was returning a CUTE 4 month old puppy to the shelter. He said he got it for his 3 yr old son (who was with him) but didn't like that it wasn't trained. The dog got off the leash when they got to the shelter and ran into the street. She didn't get hit (thank goodness) but the guy didn't even try to catch her! He told those of us who were there that if we caught her we could keep her because she was a no good *$@*% dog and he was glad to be rid of her. If I was renting my own place instead of a room in a house, I would have taken her!

Why bother adopting a dog if you don't want it??? I was sad all day!

Update: I went to the humane society today to find out what had happened to the dog. Turns out the guy DID catch her, and then beat her until her mouth and paws were bloody! THEN he took her back to them, THREW her across the counter and left! The Humane society contacted the police and filed a cruelty charge against him.
They treated the dog and one of the volunteers has adopted her and taken her home. She will be loved and cared for...

Answer 1

I hate people like that and hate is a really strong word. If you can't care for a pet...then don't GET ONE! And don't adopt it. Animals have feelings and they need to be cared for by people. I also hate people that abuse animals because the animals are innocent and they are still bonded to their owner, even when the owner is abusive to them and it makes me want to cry. I wish I could save all the animals in the world. They have little hearts too. I hope they all go to heaven...and i want to kick the a**** of people who are mean to them. Okay, this really got me on a rant. sorry. :(

Answer 2

It sounds to me like he didn't really want a pet in the first place. With a pet comes responsibility, he probably didn't realize that. That's terrible that he didn't even care enough to try to save her from getting hit by traffic. I sometimes volunteer at the animal shelter, and I have seen a couple of sad stories like this. One of the dogs was adopted out, but came back a few months later - only about 10 pounds overweight. She luckily found a new home where she will be loved.

Answer 3

I think some people who adopt an animal from a shelter expects it to be trained. That usually isn't the case. Most animals are in a shelter because they were abandoned, or abused, or the owner didn't want them anymore because they don't listen since the owner never worked with the animal.

People whe adopt animals from shelters should know this. Most people who do decide to adopt from shelters are loving people that want to save an animal and give it a second chance at life. The few people that do it because they want a well trained dog do it because they are lazy and don't want to train a dog or work with it. Then when they realize how much work it really is, they decide they don't want the animal...Very ignorant and selfish!!

Answer 4

Some people just really don't understand animals and don't need to have them. They aren't patient and realize that an animal needs time to adjust to it's new home.

Some people think that animals are for entertainment, not for companionship. I've known a person that adopted a pure bred dachsund puppy and expected it to live outside in the winter at 20 degrees. I don't think so.

I know someone that adopted a cat that thought it ought to live in the basement with very little human contact. I don't think so.

Some people just weren't meant to have animals, that's why the shelters try to screen people. They don't always succeed though.

I love all animals. I was brought up that way. My husband on the other hand was brought up to hate cats in general and dogs were just meant to be kept outdoors as a plaything when they wanted I guess.

I have changed his mind about all this. He was 39 years old when I met him. He is 46 now. We have cats galore. He loves all of them. When I met him and the person that he is now is quite unbelievable. He loves those cats as much as I do.

His mother still hates cats, as he was brought up to do. She finally admitted a couple of years ago that she is deathly afraid of cats, but doesn't know why.

People can change their opinion about animals but they definitely need someone to help them.

Answer 5

Cause they drink to many cups of coffee on Monday... Go adopt the animal not realizing that they might actually lose sleep, and it is harder work than they think. So after a few nights of no sleep and insanity sinking in, they take the animal back. They must think that it's just going to warm up to them, and make themselves at home in a week and so on. Probably all for selfish reasons. When they actually have to put effort and care into the situation they give up.. Hopefully these people aren't parents, they would probably do the same with their own kids too.

Answer 6

Many people are ignorant about pet ownership. A puppy teethes and needs training, that's true. It was better the guy brought it back than throwing it out in the street. A better owner will take the pup.

Answer 7

Because they're idiots.
They don't realize that having a pet is more than just taking an occasional walk. It comes with responsibility and things that absolutely have to be done.
Don't you feel sorry for that little boy of his? He didn't come trained or with a manual. I wonder how he is being treated by someone so selfish as his father seems to be.

Answer 8

because apparently a person doesnt want an animal that isnt trained, like most of the animals in a shelter. they feel that if they have to train it, *it is too much work to be worth my time*. unfortunately most of humanity thinks this way and it is a shame.

Answer 9

Because that person is an ignorant human being with no good sense of morals and decency. He doesn't value the life of a living creature and probably doesn't value human life much either.

Answer 10

Some people are not fit to take care of animals, especially baby animals.