No fault of their own?

SuperAllyB

I have had to re-home several dogs over the years, as I am employed as a shepherd and need to keep a steady supply of young dogs coming on to replace older ones. Unfortunately, there are a few (no matter how well-bred) who have no inclination whatsoever of chasing sheep for a living. Unfortunately I can't keep them all - its dear enough feeding the ones that are interested!

I always advertise them as for sale "through no fault of their own" and any money I ask for is hopefully to deter people who can't afford to look after them properly.

catkins

krlyr wrote: »

Again, not black and white. Working hours might be workable, but they might not. For example, my dog suffers/suffered separation issues. It was workable because I finish at 4pm so worst case (nature of OH's job helped, and my boss was quite understanding and let me do flexitime/work from home for a while, but it just wasn't possible to never, ever leave her), she'd stop barking then. Had I worked until, say, 7pm, it would be a big issue as the neighbours would be disturbed and I may well have EH on my hands forcing me to rehome her due to the noise disturbance.
One of my older brothers leaves the house at 5.30am and gets home around 7pm, partly due to long hours, partly due to the commute/having to go on the M25. That would be far too long for a dog to be left, and a change in financial circumstances due to a job change could mean a dogwalker wasn't an option either.

For some, a caravan may not be a practical option - with young children it could be unsafe, unsuitable, and just not a possibility. A flat could present an issue with an older dog, or younger dog with mobility issues. A smaller house could be problematic if the owner had two dogs who clashed at times and therefore needed (as in, essentially, not preferably) separate areas - one dog may have to be rehomed for both of their safety.

Moving abroad may be a necessity rather than choice (perhaps having to go back 'home' to care for a sick relative, for example) and they just may not have the funds to take the pet. It doesn't cost £4000+ to take your children along (that's a quote I heard of to take a dog back to Australia).
Not just financially, but the flight could be very hard on a dog too. A sick or elderly dog, a dog that doesn't travel well, has separation issues, etc. may really struggle with a long flight, especially as dogs usually aren't allowed in the main cabin as handluggage (small dog on certain flights, maybe, but even that's not guaranteed)
Also the climate may not be suitable for the dog, e.g. a heavy coated breed like an Akita may not fair well in a very warm country. If the move abroad is for work, it may be a combination of relocation and working hours.

Many people have to rehome pets when they would really rather not, but sometimes I think it is unavoidable. Sometimes not, but I don't think you could say every reason is simply an excuse.

I totally agree that sometimes it is unavoidable to have to rehome a pet but often people make excuses or just can't be bothered to try and find a way to keep them.

It took me quite a while to find a landlord that would let me have pets but I was determined to find one. There was no way I was giving my pets up. A lot of landlords allow children and they often cause more damage than any pet.

I only moved to Europe so it did not cost a lot to take my animals but I know people who have gone to America, Canada, South Africa and they all took their dogs with them. If I could not have taken my pets with me I would not have moved there. As I say, people would not move abroad and give their children up so why their pets? Surely a pet should be a member of the family?

When I was abroad quarantine was still in force and although after a couple of years I was desperate to come back I didn't because I was not going to have my animals in quarantine for 6 months. As soon as the law changed I came back.

I obviously cannot say that there is nothing that could ever happen that would force me to give up my animals but it would have to be something very very major

con1888

catkins wrote: »

Working longer hours may not be ideal for a dog but still better to be with a loving owner they know than in a rescue surely?

Moving to a smaller house or even a flat surely does not have to be a reason to give up a dog does it? I have a fairly large breed of dog and only a smallish house. I know quite a few people with dogs who live in flats with no garden and they manage perfectly well.

I had to move into a rented house and it took my ages to find somewhere that would allow my to bring my dog and cats but no way would I have given them up. I would rather live in a caravan with them than a mansion without them

I moved abroad and took 6 cats with me. When I came back to England I brought a dog and 8 cats back. If you moved abroad you would take your children (I hope!) so why not your animals?

It all depends, some rehome to other people who have time for the dogs, to me thats fairer than a dog being cooped up in a crate 12 hours a day.

If I was to move abroad I would take my pets but other people don't get the attachment that I do it seems.

I am against people rehoming for no reason but sometimes there are genuine reasons.

lollipopsarah

Thank you for all your replies, i'm sure they will work something out.
We are all a bit soggy brained at the moment.
btw she could not have planned for the hospital stay as it was an emergency.
xx

bugslet

Best wishes to your daughter for a quick recovery lollipop.

Re not being able to make provision because it's an emergency, I live on my own and have no family, so I've put certain provisions in place in case something happens, such as leaving contact details for a friend in the hall for any neighbours/emergency services and that friend has a list of various options depending on the circumstances teo ensure care of the mutts.

It's not possible to cover every situation, but it's an unfortunate fact of life that you could die suddenly or be struck down by illness and everyone should have some method in place to look after their pets.