what can be done?

Re: what can be done?

Katie B — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:23:41 GMT

[quote user="Dippy"]

I totally sympathise with people whose circumstances change. Having worked for a rehoming centre for 3yrs, I saw all sorts of reasons for people having to relinquish their pets and learned very quickly not to judge. It's very easy to not believe someone's given reason and think that if you were in that situation you'd find a way to keep them but you never really know what else people are having to deal with and the reason they give is often the last straw in a chain of events. Having said that, there were also many many dogs brought in with obvious behavioural issues which may have been as a result of changing circumstances for the owner eg longer work hours, moving house, new baby etc but in some cases were undoubdetly the primary reason for wanting to rehome them and the owners would lie about it to us - we'd often find out the hadr way once the dog had been with us for several days!

The thing which makes me really mad is that so many pedigree puppies go to charity clinics for vaccs. The owners can apparently afford several hundred pounds to buy the dog but not £40ish to vaccinate it.

[/quote]

Agree, with that. Circumstances do change and sometimes you just can't help it. As long as they don't dump the animals, neglect or abuse them anyway then it is fair enough!

Re: what can be done?

Dippy — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:10:06 GMT

Re: what can be done?

am.coulson — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:53:37 GMT

Let alone neutering!!!

Re: what can be done?

am.coulson — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:52:39 GMT

Certainly for dogs, I think perhaps dog licensing would be a good call. People could apply for a licence through a vet or other professional working in the industry, where they could be interveiwed, discuss if the breed they want is suitable, and even go as far as what to do if your circumstances do change. I know it wouldn't completely solve the problem, but it's far too easy for people to literally 'pick up a dog', without fully knowing or understanding even the basic requirements. On passing an 'interveiw', a license could be issued. Like I said before, it wouldn't solve the whole problem, and it would have to be really thought and planned out, but hopefully it would make people consider if owning a dog was actually right for them. I'm stunned at how many people don't even realise that cats and dogs need regular parasite control.

Re: what can be done?

xxserahxx — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:40:06 GMT

We work along side the Blue Cross in Kimpton.. and we do all their neutering for all the animals that come through there.. and see some lovely animals.. and some not so nice.. :( mainly ones that are shipped over from ireland!! Some are rehomed un-neutered but are told to bring them to us and wel neuter them and blue cross will pay.. its a very good thing!!

Re: what can be done?

Katie B — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:32:48 GMT

I try not to think about it as it is too upseting. Saying that though it is my dream to work for a charity hospital as a Vet Nurse. It will be upseting but so worth while to see them getting better and going to better homes. If I ever won the millions I would want to set up my own shelter. Always been a dream of mine.

Believe in neutering as mandatory for definate.

Re: what can be done?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:14:38 GMT

It is upsetting isnt it.

I guess if you look at the main resons why dogs end up in rescues and then work backwards those are the answers.

I think the main reasons are

change in owners circumstance - going into rented house, losing job, end of relationship, having babies, change of work pattern etc

accidental pregnancy

poor breeding (eg dog bought from puppy farm) and subsequent ill health of dog can lead to the animal being abandoned

owner didnt research the breed properly, eg 'dog got bigger than i thought' 'dog is hard to train' etc

being taken from owner by rspca / police

Personally I do believe that the charity hospitals should make neutering mandatory. If someone cannot afford full price veterinary care then they cant afford an accidental litter I should imagine.

Re: what can be done?

Steph Phillips — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:07:47 GMT

[quote user="A-J"]personally i think the charity animal hospitals should make it compulsory for their clients dogs and cats to be neutered. [/quote]

I 100% agree!!! people think it's 'ok' to breed, get a few ££ when they sell pups etc.. but no one thinks about what might happen if no one buys them! they end up getting dumped!