dogs being dumped - the credit crunch?? see UPDATE on pg. 5

Buttonmoons

I recently took in a 1yo cat that was going to get dumped at the cat & dog home (I've been in it, it's nasty!) Technically I'm not allowed animals of the feline or canine variety where I live, but she's been here a while now and no-one is none the wiser and I know for a fact some people have dogs here, so no harm! I couldn't leave the cute wee thing to rot in the shelter, she seems happy here and my daughter loves her.

She's unneautered and not had any vaccinations, though I know the last people kept her as an in-door cat (which I am too) so hopefully she won't have been exposed to anything.

She just came out of heat (that was annoying!) and I phoned the local vet as I want her done ASAP, she looked in pain! They told me it's 6weeks before I can get her done after she was last in heat? That seems a bit long to me, she could go in again before that surely?

She's part of the family now anyways and the last family....well their loss! I know if I was EVER told I had to get rid of her, then she could go to my partners parents house, as they live in the country and would take her in easy.

What a load of waffling I've done!

Kimberley

It doesn't cost that much to keep a pet. I have a money pot. I put all the £2 coins I get into it just for the cats stuff like food and insurance money etc and it's amazing how much it accumulates. I think some people are using this so called credit crunch as an excuse to dump their animals but this has been going on for many years so it's not something new, it's just that it's an easy excuse to use.

foreign_correspondent

yeah, i agree with everyone so far - maybe i am a bit soft when it comes to dogs (ok, I know I am!! lol) but I had a sleepless night last night over that poor lost dog, feeling guilty, wondering where she was... and she wasnt even my dog or my responsibility -- I suppose I wonder whether people just do not feel that level of care and loyalty (and worry!), or whether it is possible that you become so desperate/worried etc that the dogs just become a burden.

I would love to be able to do something to stop all these dogs being dumped, but I do not know what the answer is, education, support, legislation?

I do hope someone comes forward for these poor dogs, but if not I suspect they will be split up anyway to make them more re-homable.

lowis

i don't have a dog, but i would never give up my Siamese cats, i would cut back in every single way i could...my cats are old, 13 and 14, and if i did give them up it is highly likely they would not find a home due to their age and would have to be PTS or spend the rest of their lives in a cattery shed.

i would rather eat gruel and walk everywhere than give up my two little ones. i made a promise to them when i took them on and that was to give them a loving and caring home for the duration of their lives. i intend to keep that promise any which way.

they bring me so much happiness too...i would be very unhappy without them and not knowing how they are doing or whether they are OK.

tylersbabe

lowis wrote: »

i don't have a dog, but i would never give up my Siamese cats, i would cut back in every single way i could...my cats are old, 13 and 14, and if i did give them up it is highly likely they would not find a home due to their age and would have to be PTS or spend the rest of their lives in a cattery shed.

i would rather eat gruel and walk everywhere than give up my two little ones. i made a promise to them when i took them on and that was to give them a loving and caring home for the duration of their lives. i intend to keep that promise any which way.

they bring me so much happiness too...i would be very unhappy without them and not knowing how they are doing or whether they are OK.

I remember when I got my doggie Tyler (he was going to be drowned :eek: and at only six weeks old) that I also made a promise that I would do my best for him and be there at the end. Well roll on fifteen years and many ups and downs for both, I hope I fullfilled that promise to him to the best of my ability.

I truely do not understand what could bring a person to just dump a pet, But I can understand that circumstances do change and some people/families geniuinely cannot continue looking after their pets for many reasons. therefore responsible pet ownership should step in and they should never be just thrown on the streets.

Sorry about spelling and grammer put it down to the bad day I've had lol

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

The poor old dogs! I hope they find a good home and well done for taking so much time and effort to get them sorted.

I look in the local ads and see the price of pedigree dogs and wonder how people can buy them when there are so many unwanted dogs that need good homes out there and yes, I have been thinking about this credit crunch and how many abandoned dogs it will generate.

I reckon they should bring in dog licenses again and have dog owners logged onto a national database using microchip technology to pin people down. Pet ownership is a responsibility which should not be taken lightly and owners should be made to account legally for their actions.

I have a little scraggy old mongrel who is lovely, she's been with us for 10 years and we rescued her, she is great but in her twilight years now and I have had 1 eye on the doggie websites as I would always opt for a rescue.

catkins

My pets - 1 dog and 2 cats - are my family so no way would I get rid of them. I would eat beans on toast every day if that was the only way I could afford food for my babies.

I know a lot of people are suffering badly because of the credit crunch but there is never a good reason to dump an animal. There are plenty of shelters, rescue groups etc that would take them in. I cannot believe though that all the people who are getting rid of animals are that hard up. You would not get rid of your children or parents because you were short of money so why animals? Surely they should be part of your family?

I used to know someone who did rescue work and the reasons given for giving up their dogs are unbelievable. Messing on the floor and chewing are common ones even when it is still a puppy!! Honestly what do people expect from a puppy especially if it is left all day alone?

"I can't keep it because there is a baby on the way/I have a new baby" is another reason that annoys me. Babies and animals can be fine together and if you disagree why get an animal knowing you intend to have children?

Lots of people go abroad and don't take their animals - why not? I went to France and took my animals with me and then came back and again brought my animals. I even delayed coming back because I could not bear the thought of them having to go into quarantine. Once that was lifted I came back.

Maybe I am too soft particularly when it comes to animals but I would rather be like that than have a such a hard hearted attitude as some people.

I get upset when I think of all the animals needing homes. I have rescued quite a few cats and dogs over the years (one of my present cats is a rescue). I would love to take on more pets but my dog does not always get on with others and neither does one of my cats so it is not viable at present.

MrsTinks

FC if you want why not give that shelter the details for the Oldies Club www.oldies.org.uk - they specialise in rehoming older dogs and have a high success rate. I know the ladies there are great and will be able to give the two rich in years doggies you found some publicity and help them find a home together with any luck

Yes rescues get hit hard - and it will get worse come Christmas! It always does...
So if anyone has room for a foster doggy or cat then please do contact your local rescues - I am sure they would be delighted to have more foster homes to help them
I suggested it to hubby who pointed out we have a tiny house, a tiny garden and a baby on the way... I still don't see the issue but he seems to think there is

foreign_correspondent

thanks MrsTine - I spoke to her yesterday to ask her to put the dogs together, and said I will ring her again at the end of the dogs seven days, whe I will mention the oldies club (thanks god they do not PTS after the seven days at these kennels, but look for homes - however, whether this can continue if the numbers keep increasing is a different question.)

I put cards up everywhere yesterday with a description of the dogs and my phone number, but no calls as yet - I am beginning to suspect these two were dumped too, rather than just lost.

I agree with those who have mentioned dog licensing and microchipping. However, what you can do about people getting dogs on impulse then regretting it later?? (so many 6 month to 1 year old pups in rescue,once they are no longer 'cute' but still hard work!)

Ultimately I think until breeders stop producing more dogs (and selling them to anyone who has the cash) I do not see how this can change - and how can these breeders who say they 'love their breed' keep producing more (for example) German Shepherds when so many are in kennels waiting to be put to sleep every week?

clairemck12

I got so upset reading your post FC, poor little dogs that done nothing to deserve that kind of treatment. I get so surprised by the amount of people that can just give their animals up on a whim.

I have a lovely black lab and would never give him away and definately couldn't just abandon him! He's a very important member of the family and i couldn't be without him. Don't think he would like to be anywhere else he's so spoilt, as i type this he is on his back, four paws in the air and snoring! :rotfl: