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Photo from Pamela at Store 559 in San Diego, Calif.
“I’m moving and I can’t bring my pet.”
“We’re having a baby and just don’t have time anymore.”
“My new apartment doesn’t allow big dogs.”
“My child has lost interest in the pet.”
“We’re in the military and can’t have our pet on base.”
These are just a quick example of reasons people give up their pets. This is very upsetting for me. Why do people think it’s ok to just give away their pet? I could never imagine having to give away my pets, but if you look at Craigslist under the Pets section, you’ll find an incredible number of people who are doing this.
Do you not consider your pet part of the family? Would you abandon your child? This may seem extreme, but I think this is the way pets should be treated, as part of the family.
It’s all too easy to make an impulse decision and take home a “free” puppy from that person outside the grocery store. You buy that boa constrictor because you think owning a big snake will be “cool”. That little ferret at the pet store is so cute, but you think it can just stay in its cage in the back of the house. Wrong!
Photo from Christy at Store 490 in Round Rock, Texas
I’m not saying that every instance of a person giving up a pet is inexcusable. Sometimes things happen that are truly beyond our control, and giving away a pet is the only option left. But for most cases, doing a bit more legwork can solve the problem. There are tons of services that can help find pet-friendly housing, people who will exercise your dog when you can’t, charities that will give you free/discount pet food, trainers that can help you welcome home a baby and have your pet be OK with it, and the list goes on.
Please think long and hard before you get a pet. Make sure the one you choose is the right one for your lifestyle, financial situation, and your family. Making the decision to own a pet is a big one, and needs to be treated as a long term commitment. Do your research. Did you know your turtle will live up to 50 years? Did you know that puppy will be 70 lbs full grown? These are things you need to consider. Being a responsible pet owner begins BEFORE you acquire a pet.
I’ve included some links below. Refer to these if you are thinking of getting a pet, and ask yourself the questions on these pages to help determine if a pet is right for you.
OH! The one I just love is:
I need to find a home for my puppy because I live in an apartment and the landlord won’t allow a pitbull or he is too big.
HELLO–did you NOT know this prior???
I frequent CL & have pulled/rehomed a few pitbull pups due to such ignorance.
Yeah, I really get annoyed at the parents who buy their kids a pet and then when the child gets bored allows them to get rid of a pet and get a new one. Like just had a family bring in guinea-pigs because the little girl decided she would rather have a rabbit. Way to teach your kids responsibility. :/
I have been married, divorced, had a baby (not in that order), moved cross-country, had to rent, lived through a natural disaster, lost a job and was told to give up pets because of child’s allergies/asthma (which turned out not to be pet-related at all). You name the excuse for giving up a pet, I have lived it. Giving up ANY of my pets under ANY circumstances was never an option. If you make an effort, you can make it work with your ENTIRE family intact.
I feel a dog if a lifelong commitment they are not disposible but unfortunately when I became homeless and lived in the desert I was forced to to the right thing by my beloved dogs.
Its been 2 years & I still cry when I speak of them.
I have always rescued dogs since I was a child, I never thought I would be desperate for rescue myself.
I was thankful to find a specific breed rescue for my Basset through a Woman I met at a PETCO parking lot in Las Vegas.
My Lab , being so big had a tougher time but is now with an active couple with a pool.
The most importent thing is be honest with your pets REAL temperment & personality to the new owners.
DO NOT place an active dog with an person who cannot mange it, is unstable in their living.
The pet deserves the unconditional love they give back free of charge.
They can’t talk, they are counting on you to talk for them.
Donate & Contribute to No-Kill Facilities & utilize them or persons who care about the long term life of your pet if you must place them.
They are not throw aways but can bring as much happiness to someone else if you interview the new potential owners as if it was a new babysitter.
Lots of people are losing their jobs & houses right now & Pets are too.. they are being left behind & abandoned. Plan well for them to have the love they deserve form a suitable home for their personality.
I now live on a Truck, I just got a stray a few days ago I was going to take to a shelter but she is so calm & mellow she adjusted to truck living immediatly so I have kept her. She & I suit each other. That is what you need to do to find a good home. Find your pets personality match & someone responsible to walk,play,feed & care for them.
They are silent children that provided unending happiness.
I think you’re being awfully hard on people who may be facing difficult situations. I have a dog and 2 cats, but there have been times in life where I have had to make other arrangements for my pets. It’s not easy. But they are pets, and the well being of my family has to come first.
It’s easy to say, well if that apartment doesn’t allow pets, find another. Most complexes won’t allow pit bulls. You probably should have known that before you got the pit bull. Corgis need extreme amounts of exercise. I didn’t realize how much. Pay to have the dog walked? Can you afford that? I’m dealing with it. For 7 months out of the year it is pure torture in the cold. But by your way of thinking, I should have to suffer in the cold walking a mile or two a day because I allowed this pet into my home. My well being doesn’t matter. Right? I guess I could just let him get fat and sick like everyone else, but somehow that doesn’t seem like being a responsible pet owner.
When you’ve lost your job – are you going to eat, or feed the pets? You might get one bag of food from a charity – but how long will that hold you?
Just where do you propose we draw the line?
It’s easy to pass judgement.
sometimes an owner thinks that having a pet is a good idea until they realize the responsibility. I can’t fathom the idea. its like giving a child away!!
Hi…I often think when I see people giving up pets, whether they were truly educated in what they were getting into. I feel very strongly that potential petowners should be required to go thru an interview process or questionaire.I also think that the seller should really inform the good & BAD that goes along with whatever breed of animal they are selling. I have 3 cats, all adopted from “Cares” Society that rescues abused and abandoned animals. Yes they can be a pain, yes they needed training,BUT I would never give them up! People impluse buy because of cuteness. They feel the animal should know the house rules without being taught or trained, and don’t think that the pet requires attention. Stricter purchase/adoption procedures are needed, so that we don’t get to this point. Hand out sheets are great. What about a pet line offering tips and advice to frustrated petowners. Would that help?
It’s sad to have at least one person come into the store a day and sincerely want to give their pet to us, even cats and dogs. Having to explain to them that we don’t have the ability to do so sucks. I personally take in small animals and reptiles when I am able…but with a python, 17 rats (12 babies born to my last rescue rat), a tarantula, 2 dogs and 2 cats, there is only so much room.
As an owner of rats and a python I have to be VERY careful on where I live, and if that means I have to search a little longer, so be it. That said, there are not enough pet friendly apartments…not NEARLY enough. Or ones that claim they are but you can’t have any dog over 25 lbs, no exotics, and no caged pets…Oh, and no “Aggressive breeds”…OH THAT’S FRIENDLY! It’s forcing people to ditch their animal because nothing is left. Having to downsize due to policy. Some managers will not even listen to me due to what I have. My last apartment changed policies making me find a temporary home for my Ball Python…pet friendly my behind. Granted it was a classroom where she got held 30+ times a day and loved it…but it broke me not being able to see her. She was my companion and my stress-reliever. They are my kids and I have to provide for them no matter what…I got them, I must find a way to take care of them.
Hey Carole, thanks for sharing your thoughts on my post. I realize this is a very sensitive topic. Like I said in the post, not every instance of someone giving away a pet is inexcusable. It sounds like you are a loving pet owner, and try to do what’s right for your pets.
The point of my post is not to come down on people who give away pets, but to help people realize they need to do some serious consideration prior to getting a pet. If people do this, they’re much less likely to end up in this type of situation.
I stand by my opinion, and respect yours as well.
Yes…I agree with Mathew Hickerson. Prior knowledge on the breeds behavior pattern, eating and exercise habits. Whether they are good alone.Are they excitable,do they need alots attention. Does the new owner have time to socialize with the pet , do they have time to train and commit do all the good and bad …PLUS…are they willing to commit to this animal for AT LEAST 10 YEARS. All of this should be thoroughly thought out PRIOR to any pet shopping. Because we all know how we can get carried away, and bring home the cuteness, then try to deal with everything else later. Pets should not be disposable.Yes life can throw curve balls, but adaption to those curve balls is also part of life, along with responsiblity and accountability.
I couldn’t agree more with this article. I can’t stand peoples “Excuses” (not legit reasons) on giving up their pets. I do see each and everyone of my pets as family members. I wouldn’t even consider moving into non-pet friendly apartments. I think I’m one of the few that actually point out all the negatives to owning such-and-such animal. “talk them out of it” you might say when working. If they are truely serious into adopting that animal, these are things they already know due to research. I can always tell the impulse buyers to the serious ones.
i understand some people. some may be mean and disagree and talk about the lifelong commitment you are embarking on when getting a pet. but some people are hit with the unexpected. now being from south louisiana i know about natural disasters a bit and on more than one occasion we have been hit with back to back hurricanes. and we have had to evacuate with all of our animals! but a few years ago i had to give up my cat, i was 22 newly divorced with a 1 year old. i got sick and was in bed for a few months and i couldn’t even take care of my child. so while my mother and sister took of my child and my cat i was on a mission to find a new home for my cat and my best friend said she would be honored. now at 26 i own my own home and i have a house of reptiles and saltwater tanks with the exception of my cat whom after about a year was given back to me for my birthday. and this past year we had to evacuate for gustav with a few bearded dragons, a tortoise, a boa, corn snake, cat, crested gecko, caike, and more! it was tough but most of these are animals were not mine some were my friends whose hotels did not accept animals. and some are on medicine. so sometimes i do understand what people go through. at that point every hotel was booked and you had to take what you can get. and it is sad that some people don’t understand life can come at you hard and you have no choice but to find a new home for a loved pet. when i got my cat i didn’t know i would get sick and have to live without him even if it was for a year but most people are not as lucky to get a furry friend back. you think i knew i was going to get divorced… so if you really don’t know people’s situation don’t comment on how you can’t believe that they could just give up a companion. and i do know they have some people who buy pets and don’t care but don’t penalize the rest of us.
I can’t think of one acceptable reason to give up any of my pets. They are a part of my family. Consider me strange, but my pets are just as much a commitment as deciding to have children. There is not a natural disaster or any circumstance, divorce, moving or what have you that would warrant me giving up my children; and my children include my pets.
I concur with Laurie, as an employee at one of the Petco locations when I see a family with small children deciding to purchase a small animal for their young children, I provide them with all the negative aspects of pet ownership. I’ve had many impulsive “would be” pet owners decide against purchasing that furry little hamster.
I am compelled to make one more comment on this subject. My comment is directed towards Janie. I’m extremely concerned that you gave up your cat; albeit due to situations you say warranted your decision; but now have numerous reptiles and a saltwater tank. What future occurrence may warrant you giving up your current pets? You may find yourself in another situation where you are “hit hard” by an unforeseeable situation.
This is definitely one of the reasons I’ve decided to try out fostering before I make the bigger commitement of adopting my own pet. Not only is it allowing me help out a hard working rescue group and a wonderful animal like Chevy, but I’m also learning a TON about the real responsibility of pet ownership. I knew it would be a lot of work, but it definitely takes more time, energy and attention than I could have imagined — and it sure has some limitations. I can’t even go to the gym or out to dinner with friends without thinking about how long I’ll be gone and when I need to get back so I can let him out. I’m completely loving it and enjoying the learning experience, but it’s definitely given me a lot to think about before I consider making a committment to one of my own.
I hear a lot about “I wouldn’t give up my pet for anything” or “my pets are my children”, and that probably works most of the time. However, that is not always the case. When my daughter was born my 4 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever really didn’t want her around. We tried everything, including a local dog trainer – but when she drew blood on two different occasions, the decision as a father was clear. The dog now has a happy home, and my wife and I are guaranteed that my daughter is safe at home. We recently adopted a rescue dog, and everyone gets along really well.
So, if I took the standpoint of some who have posted, I should have “toughed it out” and worked with the dog, all the time hoping that something much more serious didn’t happen (my dog was BIG). I don’t think so. I made my decision – it was tough, but it was also very clear. My daughters safety was far more important than keeping Sisko. I just hope none of you is faced with the same choice to make.
i know i see those responses all the time if you had a kid would you get rid of him because your iving to a smaller house. no you wouldnt im 13 and i love my two pitbulls i have one i have had for 5 years and the other is 8 weeks old and i would never ever give them away no matter what happens i see hobos having dogs that are feed properly and there in the worst position ever so dont tell me your forced to get rid of your dog because a dog is like a kid you love them you dont say due to the economy im gona have to get rid of you.
Raymond,
There are exceptions. When it comes to the safety of my kids, of course the decision to give up a dog would be an easy one for me to make. Unfortunately, working at Petco and the reasons people give up their animals, most do it out of “convenience”. Once we cut through all the crap, there are a lot of people out there who purchase animals impulsively. Hence, the reason there are so many animals at our local shelters.
ok Colleen, first did u actually read my post or just skimmed through it??? it did say that most of the animals were not mine! i evacutated other peoples animals and some customers too! i am not the typical petco employee who has a zoo in there house. omg! and now i have a wonderful fiance who takes care of our saltwater and my other animals just in case something happens. and it’s just 2 bearded dragons and a crested gecko! i am not alone as i was then. and really u don’t know the person’s situation so you shouldn’t make such rude comments. i also work at petco and have for a few years now and some animals that people put up for adoption i end up taking home till we find a new home them. and when i was sick i had to find another home for my cat, i did it cause it was best thing for my cat and it was to my very best friend, i would not have trusted him to anyone else and i did say after i got better i got him back! i also work with a rescue group and i do house dogs from time to time too, does that concern you too???
I agree with Matt comment on animals 100%. I see the craigs list postings everyday where people get animals and then give them up because they are not cute little puppies anylonger or their child doesn’t want them or they become allergic. Yes people are loosing their homes, jobs and stuff happens ect etc. The main question people you have to ask yourself is, If you can’t afford to put food on the table or take care of yourself. How will you take care of a pet? I have 2 horses and 3 dogs and lost my job but somehow got another job. People in this society need to THINK AHEAD. No one does this anymore and no one takes responsibilty for their actions any more. Don’t buy your daughter a bunny for easter then decide you want a hampster. Their is mass pet population of breeding of all animals. Spay and neuter your pets. If you can’t afford to do that , then you probaly should not own a animal of any sort. Animals will love you not matter what even when you have a bad day. How can people not provide for their animals or treat them like their kids. They don’t expect much from their owners and they always love you no matter what. Only true animal people will ever understand.
One more thing to add…Watch Cesar Milan and you will all understand why dogs are aggressive and bite. The dogs that do that are locked up, caged up, no exercise, kept at home all day and spoiled by their owners, fed table food, sit on couches with the owners, lay in bed, sit in the car. No wonder why these animals bite a kids or lash out in an animals way. They don’t know who their “pack leader is”. Dogs need to know that. You give your child all the fundamentals of life, why wouldn’t you do the same for gods creature. They didn’t ask to be put in that situation. It is not the “breed” it is the owners lack of responsibility. If you child has a “disability”, then you would find him/her help. If you animal has a hard time learning you would pass it on to someone else and let them take your problem????? Why is that??
The point is, we as a society want everything here and now. If my animal/child doesn’t act a certain way we pass the problem on to someone else. People….take time for your kids and animals and I can guaranty you will get results like Cesar Milan. It is all about the time…I know b/c i do it everyday with my 2 horses and 3 dogs!!!! Please support High Kill shelters and all of the resuce groups so all these undanted animals that keep breeding are not killed and go to responsible humans!!!..
I am a board member of the Animal Refuge Center (ARC) in Fort Myers, FL. We, together with a group of shelters in Lee County have formed an alliance called “Save the Pets”. Lee County FL is one of the hardest hit areas in the country for foreclosures and our unemployment rate is sky rocketing. Save the Pets was formed in partnership with our local food bank to provide pet food to families who cannot afford to feed their families, much less their pets. Our shelters are to capacity and we hate to see families have to separate from their pets. Local area businesses have offered to be pet food donation centers and then the food bank comes to pick it up for dissemination to families in need through the food bank. We created a website, http://www.SaveThePetsToday.com and would love to get this sort of thing started around the country. If anyone is interested in how to go about it, please contact me…I would love to help.
Cassandra- Thanks so much for sharing this resource! It’s great to see organizations like yours step up and help do the right thing for animals and families in need.
If anyone else knows of resources like this, please post them!
I have worked at petco for several years now and the amount of people that impulse buy pets is rediculous.I have many pets myself. I live alone . Pay all my own bills. I dont let anyone tell me how to raise my animals. I would never give up any of my pets for any reason. In my opinion there are very few reasonable excuses to give up a pet. If you are one of those people, i believe you shouldn’t have the right to even parent any type of animal.
The most gratifying experience is adopting a dog from the shelter and providing it a loving home. Could not even fathom letting her go under any circumstances.
I feel as though the situation of “giving up a pet” needs to be examined case by case. I feel that we being too hard and critical of people who truly do have to give up their pet for reasons which are beyond their control. For example, some people get pets only to find out that they are getting laid-off. They have no control over that people! If it came down to putting a roof over their heads and food on the table for their families instead of being able to pay for vet services/pet food/pet toys…you can’t accuse them of being a bad owner. I’m sorry, that is way to critical and harsh. I love animals, but I recognize that people come before animals and one has to look at each situation on an individual basis rather then all people who give up their pets are bad pet owners.
It is understandable for people to be upset at people who did not do their research at dog restrictions in neighborhoods/apartment complexes prior to moving or tried to hide their pet. Or those who didn’t do their research about the breed, etc.
But I would rather have people “giving up” their pet then DUMPING. Which is what alot of people are also doing now. The people who dump/abandon pets are the ones who should be bad pet owners. People who at least give up their pets know that they are unable to provide it with its needs and hope that someone else will.
I am unfortunatley part of the “I need to find a home” group. Certainly not by choice. I adopted a white pitt mix from a no kill shelter. I have two dogs, and 6 acres for them. So, space is not the reason. She has agressive tendancies. I have another pitt mix and have never had problems with her. She’s very gentle. The new pup is about 9 months old and has already attacked my Bassett twice and came at me once. I hate to have to put her down, but I am afraid as she gets older she’s going to be more agressive. I don’t want her to bite anyone, including other animals. I don’t know her breeding background, so I have no idea why she’s like this. Any tips?
Jennifer- this is a potentially serious situation. The fact that the dog has gone after you needs to be looked at very carefully. Was it food or toy related? Was she suprised by you? Or was this purely an act of her being aggressive? I’m not surprised she went after your other dogs, but it is completely against the nature of a pit bull to be human aggressive, but as we all know, it can happen. I suggest immediate counseling with a dog behaviorist/trainer to see if the new pup can exist in your pack.
It sounds like she’s trying to establish herself as Alpha(over the dogs and you), which should not be allowed. Owners of pits/pit-mixes need to be strong owners that can control a dominant breed. If this is not you, you need to be honest with yourself about that and make other arrangements for the dog. Otherwise this can turn into a dangerous situation.
I have moved in and out of 4 states, moved across the country twice, been in apartments, houses, and a short-term mobile home thrown in for good measure. My pets have always, always come with me. I had 4 cats when my daughter was born, and she was raised with the cats, who adored her because I never made them feel like outsiders in her life. And they were all indoor cats! Now she is a dedicated animal lover who is healthy and happy.
I’m aware that this is a rather late response, but I don’t believe the point to this post is to come down on people in extreme situations. It drives me crazy that there are so many people out there who would rather get rid of their pet than find pet-friendly housing or simply take the easy way out of situations by getting rid of the pet over giving it a chance. In response to Guenivere, in our store we request that the animal is donated WITH it’s belongings. It doesn’t help sales, but it’s an easier transition for the animal to have something familiar, and causes the family to think again about just switching pets because they have to buy all new supplies.
Hey Lacey, better late than never! You’re correct, this post was not to come down on people in extreme situations. That’s why I clearly stated:
“I’m not saying that every instance of a person giving up a pet is inexcusable. Sometimes things happen that are truly beyond our control, and giving away a pet is the only option left.”
This was meant to make people stop and think about their situation before they get a pet. And if they’re put in a situation like being forced to move, hopefully I’ve provided a couple good resources.
Some People do not even take the responsibily of raising their own kids do you expect something better when adults buy a kitten for 4 or 5 year old? My then 4 year grandaughter received a kitten from my ex-daughter in law’s friend. The friend taught that a 4 year old should have something to play with . . . At that time my daughter in law pregnant with her 2nd child. That kitten lasted less than one year and a lot of peril thank GOD for 9 lives. I ended up taking the cat in since my ex-daughter in law and grand daughter no longer wanted it.
Thanks for this article and the comments!
Friday I paid $145.00 to have what was once a beautiful Tiger stripe cat put to sleep. His owners moved away and left him. Note please that they took one cat and their child. They left Mel because he roamed and wanted out..they removed his collar before leaving. I fed and cared for him for over six months and was planning to take him to be neutered and to a shelter as none of the non profit organizations would take him because he wasn’t neutered. I had previously rescued and kept 5 abondoned cats and found homes for several so unfortuately I had no more room for him. He contacted that deadly virus going air borne and went down fast. He suffered and died because of the cold indifferent hearts of his orginal owners. My daughter and I grieved for two days because of the senseless of the act I had to be responsible for.
A pet needs care for life not just while a kitten and cute but for life. Don’t take a pet if you have no intentions of making the committment to care for the duration of life.
My husband and I took in Cappy The Amazing Peeing Cat (he’s amazing in that he’s not pee’d on everything we own).
His original owner couldn’t cope with an inbred so-called purebred cat so she asked me to take him as I have experience with lots of cats. At the time of the adoption, we did not know about Cappy’s “habit” of peeing on everything.
That was 10 years ago. We still have our neurotic little baby and he still pee’s, though not as much. When we adopted him, after discovering his habit, we saw it as an opportunity to learn about dealing with troubled animals – a sort of boot camp for when we adopt children.
Cappy’s my little baby. He cuddles with me, he gives me face baths, and all he asks is that I pay attention if I’m gone for too long. I’ve rocked him to sleep in my arms, I’ve taken him on walks via a leash, his beauty attracts everyone.
I cannot imagine giving him up though, in the early days it was a close call. We worked and worked with him to better understand how his little mind works. In the process, we ended up with a sweet little kitty that we wouldn’t trade.
I understand why his original owner gave him up, but I cannot imagine doing the same. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Research before picking up any breed of animal…also, research the breeder – are they licensed? Are they breeding according to acceptable industry standards? If she had just done some basic research, she wouldn’t have felt the need to give him up.
Her loss…our win.
We had a beautiful shepherd who was great around our child up to the age of 3. He started to get into the habit of biting. Keep note we never played tug or war or encouraged that behavior. We tried everything and spent countless dollars on private trainers, evaluations, speaking with our vet, meds, and dog psychologist. They all concluded that he might have anxiety issues. In the end he bit our son with out being provoked. The strange thing was we where all sitting on the coach when he came out of no where and lunged at him. We had to give him up! Even to this day, I still wondered if there was more I could have did for him. Now I’m in the process of working with my son! He is completely terrified of dogs! If you’re looking for a dog please make sure you know what you’re getting into.
Verysad- It sounds like you guys did the right thing. You looked at the situation as a whole, and tried a number of different tactics. I feel that in your situation you exhausted your options, and made the safest decision for your family. I’m sorry for your struggle, and I’m sure with time your son will come around. My best wishes to you, your family, and future pets!
i have 4 female gerbils and cage to give away and 5 boys with cage to give away i cant pay for the food anymore
I lost my job in January and still haven’t found anything yet. My rent is due in 4 days and I don’t even have 1/2 it. To say I don’t want to give up my dog is feasibly the biggest understatement I have ever made but I don’t see any other options.
hi, i have to give my pet dog away to a loving home i cant afford to keep her