Lack of space: Pets versus Pregnancy?

Question

I'm 21 years old, I've been happily married for over a year, but my husband and I have been together for a total of 4 years. He has a good job and we have a big two bedroom apartment. We want to have a baby. However, I am obsessed with animals and I have 12 pets that I've cared for over the years. I've had some of my pets for 7 years! My pets reside in our second bedroom. If I have a baby, I will want that bedroom for my child. However, I dont have room for all of my pets if I do that. I am extremely emotionally attatched to my pets and I don't want to abandon them. If I have a baby I will have to find a good home for some of my larger pets (such as my Giant Sulcata tortoise, my rabbit , my guniea pig, and maybe even my birds). How can I find a home that's good enough for my precious pets? It would be hard enough adopting them out, let alone finding a home that I think is good enough for them. I can't wait to have a baby when they die, because some of my pets will live longer than me!

Answer 1

Go to the local animal shelter, they might know people that are good adopties

Answer 2

Move into a bigger place or find another way to make them all fit. That's part of the commitment of being a pet owner, you find a way to make it work. The only thing I might consider getting rid of is anything that is a great danger to a baby (a poisonous snake, for example). Maybe consider moving. You'd probably be thankful for the extra room anyway. A 2 bedroom house, even, would offer some expansion room.

If you must rehome them then get in contact with rescue groups. They usually have tight restrictions on who can adopt them and they might be able to give you good advice on how to rehome them yourself. Never put up ads for "Free to good home" and do not surrender to the shelter. Both are asking for trouble, and often have not so great endings.

Something like that tortoise might do well in a vivarium or if you live near a large well kept zoo that's an idea, too. That's not typically a pet for just anyone and as you said they do tend to live a long time.

Having been a mother since age 19 I think you might be happy to give that a few years more. It'd give you time to perhaps buy a home that can fit the entire family and I think you'd be glad you waited a little longer. I know how the baby bug can hit, though, and you don't want to wait when it does but I think better to make room for everyone (and it's a good thing for your baby, too, to have all those animals to grow up with). That's just what I'd do (given that chance again ;).

Whatever you decide I wish you the best.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Ever think of moving to a bigger apartment? And does your landlord know you have so many pets?! I have 5 birds and 2 large dogs that live in my home plus 6 horses so I know about emotional attachment {we also have an albino milksnake but I have NO attachment to THAT!} and we have a 10 month old son and a 14 yr old daughter and I have a 7yr old stepdaughter. But we have a larger home and own it so no landlord. If you can not afford a bigger place which would be the easiest soluition you have to decide which is more important a child or your pets. As much as I love my pets if it came down to my kids or my pets, I'd chose my kids

By the way if you have a child and put it in that room make sure you clean it VERY VERY well

Answer 4

I guess I'm torn on this issue. On one side I want to tell you that you made a commitment to these animals and have no right to abandon them over a spacing issue. Perhaps you could look for a larger residence. Especially considering that it's an apartment and eventually you will probably move into a home.
Then on the other side, you made a commitment to these animals and the birth of a child may preclude you from caring for these animals as they need to be. Remember babies require round the clock care so daily care, attention and cage cleaning becomes more difficult to fit into the schedule.
The decision will ultimately be up to you, but one thing to consider is once you become pregnant you will have 9 months to find responsible homes for your critters. And atleast if you begin looking for homes now you will have plenty of time whereas you could bring your new baby home and discover that he/she has allergies and then you would have little time.
Sorry I was so wish washy but I don't know what to tell you.

Answer 5

Keep in mind that you don't need to get rid of all your pets. Keeping a couple around (assuming that you have space) is fine! Here's an article on that: http://home.ivillage.com/pets/cats/0,,nkqz,00.html

As far as finding your pets a good home:

First, see if any of your family members or friends would like one of your pets. This is a good way to make sure that your animals will find a new home and you can visit them on a regular basis.

Second, look for a good pet rescue who will help you find a good home for your pets. I'd suggest finding one by going to PetFinder.com and searching for other pets who have been listed of your pet's type.

Third, talk to your veterinarian. Some vets will help place animals by putting them on display.

Fourth, do you know any teachers? See if they would like to adopt your pets to be part of their classrooms. Many science teachers enjoy having pets in the classrom to teach about the animals and instruct students on how to properly care for pets.

Fifth, talk to a local zoo or aquarium. Many have "petting zoo" areas for rabbits, etc. They may actually put your tortoise in an exhibit -- he'd be a star!

Sixth, if you can't find any other home for your pets, see if a local Pet Store will take them and sell them for you. But, don't expect to make money off your pets -- that's just not right!

I would avoid classified ads, since they can attract undesireable pet owners.

A little bit on preparing for your newborn:

Last but not least, if you've been keeping pets in that 2nd bedroom, make sure that it's 100% clean and tidy before you bring your new baby home. Have the carpets professionally cleaned (use a professional service or rent a carpet cleaner from your grocery store). Make sure all "smell," urine and feces are gone throughout your whole apartment. Wipe down all the walls, baseboards and ceiling (if needed) with a mild cleaner or a diluted bleach solution. BTW, this is good practice for any pet owner to do every month or quarter.

IMPORTANT: Certain reptiles can carry salmonella. Other pets, like rabbits and cats, can carry diseases that are potentially deadly or at least harmful to a newborn. Some even put you as a pregnant mother at risk! (EXAMPLE: toxoplasmosis: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/toxoplasmosis/DS00510/DSECTION=3) You want to make sure that all surfaces of your home have been completely cleaned so you don't potentially infect your newborn. Keep your newborn away from any animals or where animals have been. If you have a cat, make sure you read up on toxoplasmosis and follow the guidelines to staying healthy (e.g. have someone else change the litter.)

Answer 6

You might be able to find room for the pets and a baby, you never know. I have a lot of pets too, a very small house and a son. We have very, very tight quarters, and what we do is just stop getting new pets.

I hate to word it this way, but pets are not as long lived as we are. Especially your smaller, furry ones. We had many pets when my son was first born that we no longer have. Our rat has passed on, as has a leapard gecko, one of the cats, one of the birds, and so many fish I can't count. We still have two dogs, one cat, one bird, three fish tanks and a lizard. We just don't replace the pets when they pass away.

Besides, it takes time to get pregnant, and then you have another 9 months. Pets are members of the family too, it would be too traumatic for you to have them leave.

If there absolutely is no other choice, friends and family would be optimal. Newspaper add, next best, and then if that doesn't work, contact any no-kill shelters in your area. No-kill shelters generally have a waiting list, but then you would be guaranteed your pets would not be put down.

But- in my opinion, you should keep your pets, even if you want a baby. Babies are small in the begining. Mine slept in my room in the begining (we had a two bedroom apt when he was born) and didn't sleep in his own room until he was over a year old. Baby may not need their own room.

Besides, my son LOVES animals and I think it's because of the amount of them we have. He has a gentle caring spirit and we often rescue fallen birds and abandoned kitties. What better way to foster compassion to a child than to raise them with pets.

P.S. to the person clamming that many pets are unsanitary never saw my house. I'm very clean and I have lots of pets, scoop litter boxes every day, vacuum, etc. I know people with NO pets who are very dirty. Just know certain pets, like turtles, lizards, etc, can carry salmonella, just wash your hands between pet and baby. (Sorry my spelling is bad) Please don't think I'm jumping on you, I was just letting you know lots of pets does NOT equal unsanitary.

Answer 7

dont have the baby till the animals go, and dont get rid of the animals just cause you have a baby. Think about this more than what you are doing now. Look for a bigger place, something with a basement. Or shed you can convert into a animal house. Those animals are you friends and you love them you spent all that time with them. They are not young animals and finding them homes that are good and decent now will be very difficult. I have 7 dogs, 4 cats, guinea pigs up the wahzoo, mice, snakes, goats, horses, and everything else that decides to come around, i am 9 months pregnant and about to pop myself but I would NEVER give up my animals unless they were posing a threat to the health of my family or baby.

Answer 8

possibly highlighting 538 isn't this style of sturdy theory? A dogs that length takes up the area and nutrition of a minimum of two. what number easily everyone seems to be ideal could be proprietors of a pitbull. Shelters are the two run via community government or charities and the two way the investment is finite. in case you are able to not rehome a dogs interior a given era, protecting it longer ability different canines ought to die by using fact there isn't any area on the motel. i'm particular you're an relatively incredible guy or woman and value and area allowing you will possibly rescue all of them, however the shelters face precisely that issue on a greater scale. Animal shelters do what they might with what they have, the subject is the idiots (and that i choose to apply superior language), that placed canines on the streets and reason this issue interior the 1st place.

Answer 9

Just get a bigger house, and keep the pets separate from the baby. If you want to adopt some out, take out an ad and interview the people who want to adopt them yourself. That way you can tell if they're the kind of home you want the pet to go to. But actually, I can't see why you can't just keep them even if you do have a baby, by making room for them.

Answer 10

u should try to save money to buy a town house or even a whole house this way u will have a lot of room. i think u shoul keep your pets bcuz of the way u feel for them. if i were u i wouldnt hav a baby till i gat a better house that will b good for the animal and the family! or u could give the pets to ur family members so u wont hav to pay for them and then when u gat a house take the animals bk and hav a baby!

Answer 11

You are only 21..you have years to think about a family. I have many pets as well and that is one of the many reasons we moved to a larger home.