Monday, October 15, 2012

Be The Change - Pet Relinquishment

Oct 15: Be, Blog, Read, Share the Change for Animals!


Today is a special post, "Blog the Change for Animals!". I am participating in a blog hop along with other pet bloggers that are also writing in support of various causes and coming together to share information and ideas :)

Fun Fact: October is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month !!! WOO HOO!!! My next topic will be on that :) 

The topic I wanted to touch on today was pet relinquishment; the reason why SO many shelters have SO many animals. Have you ever wondered how we receive all the pets at the shelter? Where do they come from? Why did people give them up? Many come in thinking that most of our pets were lost or stray animals and are always shocked to find out that NONE of them are lost or stray animals...but pets from previous homes that someone just didn't want anymore.

The non-profit shelter I work at only takes in owner relinquished pets, while Animal Services (county funded) takes in all animals, especially lost or stray animals. So why do people bring them in? I found an interesting study done by the National Council on Pet Population that shows the top 10 reasons for cats and dog:


"We're moving...we just can't take him with us." OH man, if I had a dollar for every time I have heard that statement, I'd be RICH! That is by far the most common reason people bring in their dogs, with finances and time commitment coming in second and third. Allergies is a big one with cats and people also find themselves with litters of kittens...and by the time they know it, they have 6 cats. Spaying and neutering IS SO IMPORTANT! And then of course we always hear the craziest stories or the ones that want to make you cry...every day is a new day.

What can we do to stop people from bringing their pets to the shelter? In truth, EDUCATION IS KEY. People need to realize that owning a pet is a long term commitment and not short term. Also, early obedience training can help avoid future behavioral issues. There are so many resources in your community that can help with training and in all other aspects of your pets life.

Somehow these resilient pets seem to have this amazing ability to move on and move forward with their lives and always are willing to forgive. They always live in the moment and it always makes me wonder...why can't we be more like that? Letting go of resentment and angry feelings will ultimately make us happier people. So how about we learn some life lessons from our pets and have a more positive outlook in life :)



15 comments:

  1. Great post! I volunteered at an animal shelter for 8 1/2 years. Oh yes. The "moving" one always got to me. WTH Do you leave your kids behind too? I understand if you are losing your home and have to move to an apartment that doesn't take dogs, but I heard it WAY to often for it to be the case every single time. I also heard the time and finances excuse too.

    I think the biggest opportunity we have is to educate before, during and after someone gets a pet. My rescue is amazing in that it takes the time to offer classes at all points along this spectrum.

    Great post. Definitely an important topic. So glad you shared on Blog the Change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? Would you leave your kids behind? No! So why a family pet? It's hard for me to sympathize with them when they could have made the effort to find a place that allows pets or find a better home for them. Education is definitely important in stopping the trend and also educating future pet owners. So glad to hear that your rescue takes the time to offer classes!

      Delete
  2. You forgot to include my favorite letter to these average pet owners in our throw away society:
    http://www.heroswaggintrain.com/poems_stories/mr_mrs_petowner.htm
    :))

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great topic for blog the change. The top reasons aren't that surprising but it is interesting to me that moving is such a common reason for surrendering a dog. When I was a kid we moved across the country and my parents never once talked about giving up our dog to a shelter. She was part of our family and she came with us. That's just how it was. And so, when I made my own giant move several years ago, it wasn't a question about whether or not our cat would be joining us. It was just fact. Sure, the 5 day car trip would have been easier without him, but it would have been harder in the long term to leave him behind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, I feel like sometimes people say that it's moving when in reality it's another reason they're just giving me an excuse. It's sad to think that many people think of their dogs as an object that is easy to just dump somewhere when you can't (or don't want to) take care of it anymore. I grew up with my dog being a part of our family too...and I wouldn't have it any other way!

      Delete
  4. Thank you for your post! I was just thinking about this yesterday, after I read a story about a shelter that had to automatically euthanize owner surrendered pets due to overcrowding issues--these animals would be given no chance for adoption. I cannot fathom how anyone, knowing this will happen, could still go ahead and surrender their pet. I think (and maybe I'm being a bit harsh/radical) that anyone who still does this should have to be with their pet while it is killed. I'm still haunted by my decision to end my cat's life over two years ago, and it was an act of mercy (he was riddled with cancer and suffering). To do this to a healthy pet is just unthinkable.

    Oh, and I absolutely hate the moving excuse. Seriously? Not only have I moved across several state lines with my cats, I used to travel cross-country with them twice a year, driving back and forth from Kentucky (where I was going to grad school) to Texas (home). My cats will go with my husband and me wherever we go. For instance, I applied for a couple of academic positions in the UK, but before I did, I made sure they no longer quarantined pets... guess who'll be travelling as carry-on luggage if I end up moving overseas (although it is very unlikely that I will). Would it be an "inconvenience"? Yes, but they're family, and I'd be miserable without them.

    Okay, I'll stop there... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trust me you're not being harsh or radical, I think of that all the time! Even after I tell them what might happen to their pet, many just shrug their shoulders and give me this look like "oh well". Arrghhh I don't understand how some people can be so heartless?! I guess not everyone considers their pets as family like we do...such a shame :-/

      Delete
  5. That top 10 list... some of those reasons just make me want to pull my hair out! I agree with you about the value of education here - thanks for blogging the change and joining us today!

    A.J.
    Be the Change for Animals
    I Still Want More Puppies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, it's hard to believe that some of these are very common reasons for pet relinquishment. You're welcome and thank you for your post too :)

      Delete
  6. This is a great point. I think, because many of us communicate frequently with other pet bloggers, that our perspective is a bit skewed. We're all animal lovers and animal advocates, and couldn't imagine moving and leaving our pets behind. Thank you for all the work you do in shelters, I'm sure at times it's heartbreaking.

    Peggy Frezon
    http://BetheChangeforAnimals.com
    http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is definitely tough, but the rewards of adoptions and success stories are worth it :)

      Delete
  7. WOW!! Very Interesting blog i like your dogs and you have write article this is really very useful for me i can follow you and you can please updating your blogs.
    Thank you for post.

    Show chain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I will definitely keep on updating. Thanks for reading :)

      Delete
  8. Nice work on putting together a very interesting post. Fabulous ideas and very helpful information. Well thought out and well written.Cat Urn

    ReplyDelete