In about 4-12 weeks, we are going to be seeing the "We need to re-home our pet" posts. These are the folks who purchased puppies / kittens as Christmas gifts who are suddenly allergic, moving, having a baby, don't have time, their kids won't take care of it, didn't think they'd get so big (etc...).
To those people I say:
You didn't know you had an allergy? Oops. Don't let the pet suffer. Get allergy medicine.
You're moving? What city are you moving to that doesn't allow dogs? Bullcrapville? Find a house / apartment / condo that will ALLOW your family member. Period.
Oh... you had NO idea you were due to have a baby in 2 months? Interesting. Get a dog trainer.
Don't have time for ONE 15 min walk or to have a dog just sit next to you while you're home? Really? So they're better off in a shelter than waiting in your house for you to get home? Ok... get another dog to keep them company.
Oh... you mean your 5 year old didn't step up to the plate to feed, walk and scoop poop? And this surprised you? I guess it's time for YOU to step up and model responsibility for your child.
Wrong size? Not cute as an adult? Not quite the personality you expected? Look in a mirror. How'd YOU turn out? Should we send you back?
Sigh.... sorry.
But these are the excuses (among others) that rescuers hear after the "new puppy" excitement wears off and they need the pet out ASAP. Well... guess who suffers? Shelters are FULL... rescues are FULL... if you take responsibility for an animal, that is a lifetime commitment and if you are the 1% who actually has a good reason for not being able to keep this commitment and you MUST re-home the animal (life threatening allergy etc...) then PLEASE keep it and care for it until a no kill rescue has room or until you research / find a BETTER home than you were.
Thank you.
(Steps off soap box)
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