I’m responsible for answering email inquiries for Vicky’s Pet Connection. Questions include wanting information about a specific cat or dog in our program to our adoption policy and procedure. But unfortunately about half of the emails I receive are from people looking to get rid of animals. Some people are looking to place strays that they’ve found. Many are looking to get rid of their family pet.
It’s the group that is looking to shrug off responsibility and commitment for a family pet that get under my skin. The excuses usually sound the same for dogs and cats. A couple is expecting their first child and doesn’t have time for a dog and will have less time after a baby is born. A family has multiple children and no longer have time for a dog. The family is moving and can’t take the dog with them.
I always wonder how valid these reasons are when I receive emails like this. Getting rid of a pet is not an option for me unless the pet has become a hazard to my home. There are some valid reasons for giving up a pet. But I feel that the majority of people out there that give up animals do so because they no longer want the responsibility.
Going through some old email I came across this piece that was written by an unknown author and it made me smile.
HELP NEEDED ASAP:
Please help!!!! After two long years of being on a waiting list for an agility dog, we have been notified by the breeder that, at long last, our number has come up and … WE ARE HAVING A PUPPY!!!
We must get rid of our children IMMEDIATELY because we just know how time consuming our new little puppy is going to be and it just wouldn’t be fair to the children. Since our little puppy will be arriving on Monday we MUST place the children into rescue this weekend!
They are described as:
One male – His name is Tommy, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), light blonde hair, blue eyes. Four years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn’t bite. Temperament tested. Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet.
Has had chicken Pox and is current on all shots. Tonsils have already been removed. Tommy eats everything, is very clean, house trained & gets along well with others. Does not run with scissors and with a little training he should be able to read soon.One female – Her name is Lexie, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), strawberry blonde hair, green eyes quite freckled. Two years old. Can be surly at times. Non-biter, thumb sucker. Has been temperament tested but needs a little attitude
adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots, tonsils out, and is very healthy & can be affectionate. Gets along well with other little girls & little boys but does not like to share her toys and therefore would do best in a one child household. She is a very quick learner and is currently working on her house training-shouldn’t take long at all.We really do LOVE our children so much and want to do what’s right for them; that is why we contacted a rescue group. But we simply can no longer keep them. Also, we are afraid that they may hurt our new puppy.
I hope you understand that ours is a UNIQUE situation and we have a real emergency here!!! They MUST be placed into your rescue by Sunday night at the latest or we will be forced to drop them off at the orphanage or along some dark, country road. Our priority now has to be our new puppy.
– Author Unknown
