Re-homing dogs

pawsitiveside

Hello dog lovers,

Recently, my heart has been braking for the many pets that are being re-homed in my area. As is often the case, people are purchasing pups for themselves or for their kids, and once the dog is 8 months to a year old, they're turning the dogs into shelters, or posting on local message forums asking people to take their dog.

The number 1 reason for re-homing the dogs seem to be mild and easily fixable behavioral issues. Common things like jumping up, barking too much, counter surfer - things like that.

As dog lovers, we know how easy it is to train dogs out of these things. We also know that the fate of most dogs who are untrained and rehomed eventually end up in a shelter, and are killed.

It honestly breaks my heart, especially when people post the pictures and make a comment like "If nobody claims our dog by (enter date), then we will have no choice but to take him to a shelter and hope for the best."

*sigh*

The general public doesn't know or understand what happens to these dogs (especially adolescent and adult dogs) once they get to the shelter. Nor do they understand that their contributing to the problem of overpopulation of pets, and needless euthanization.

If only more people understood the power of training their dogs!

Anyhow, I wrote this article but I haven't officially published it yet. One of my friends says it's too harsh and she might be right.

What do you guys think? Should I soften it a bit, and if so, how?

What changes should I make?

Thanks for reading my rant. I've been a mess over this situation for the past few days.

Amazing Mutts - Before You Re-home Your Dog

LDMomm

I don't think it's too harsh.

Criosphynx

I don't agree with this . Rehoming an aggressive dog is a HUGE liability. Also, what is considered "aggression" is very subjective...

also I think rehoming a dog that is a very poor fit for your family is ok, if you know the dog will thrive in another home. Its not fair to the dog to be kept in a home that doesn't suit it.


also, I can see telling people to try a rescue first, but not to 'avoid" a shelter. Honestly, I have tried to get dogs into rescues and have not once been sucessful, also many rescues do not take dogs from the public, and only pull from the shelter system...I'd say som'thing more along the lines of "find a no kill shelter or a shelter with a lower euth rate". Telling people to not use a shelter is bad ju ju IMO, shelters exist so people don't dump dogs on the road. I wish more people WOULD use shelters.

pawsitiveside

Good point Crios. The word 'aggressive' is overused and people don't always know the difference between a dog that is aggressive and reactive.

I was thinking along the terms of a family with small children and a truly aggressive dog when I wrote that article. I'll have to find a way to change the wording to be specific toward what I had in mind.

I see what you mean regarding shelters, but whether someone drops their dog off at a shelter, on the road, in a parking lot or a dumpster, they're still sealing the dog's fate. I do like your suggestion about recommending no-kill shelters though. I'll fit that in too.

Thanks!

Criosphynx

No worries, Otherwise I like it....now you just have to get people to find it/read it!

pawsitiveside

True! Getting people to find any of my articles is a bit of a challenge. I mostly just post them on Facebook.

Anyhow, I've adjusted the article based on the suggestions of you and others. Thanks for all of your help!

ScentHound

I like it but don't think it is aggressive enough. Most of the people I have met that rehomed pets for dumb reasons will only listen to a brick in the face. Up front and in your face kind of stuff is more what these people need. Just my opinion.

Barb

I have heard that "no-kill shelters" frequently transfer animals to kill shelters when they have been at their facility too long. I suppose it still extends the open period of adoption, but it doesn't save them from euthanasia indefinitely.

Criosphynx

The ones here do that yes...the very old, the dogs that are very sick, dogs that fail the temp test etc are sent to the kill shelter...I got my pom from a no kill just before they were about to transfer her for being "unadoptable"...so yeah, its simply a better chance for the dog.



the truth is...sadly, no matter what we write/do there will be people in this world that really don't care if the dog dies or not. All I know is I'd rather dogs die at the shelter than suffer under a bush for hours after being hit by a car because som'one released them

pawsitiveside

I somewhat agree. I've tried gentle methods and 'brick' methods, and either way, bricks and ridiculous excuses are thrown right back at me. Heck, I've even offered free dog training sessions for people who claimed they needed to get rid of their dog due to behavioral issues. They either thank me for my offer and decline, or ignore me all together.

Either way, the dog gets re-homed.

It's sad.