Top 10 Reason People Give Up Dogs
October is American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month, so I thought it was important to show people how wonderful the dogs in shelters are.
Most aren’t given up because they’re mean or uncontrollable, the sad truth is it’s usually due to financial issues and life changes.
The following list is compiled from the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy.
1. Moving — Dogs can handle change, especially if their owners make the change fun. But so many people leave pets behind at shelters when they move. That’s much more traumatic for dogs than riding two days in a car with their friend to a new home.
2. Landlord issues — If you rent, then you must get approval from your landlord to have a pet. Some people lie about these things and then when the landlord finds out they have a pet, they end up getting rid of the pet rather than moving.
3. Cost of pet maintenance — Pets are not cheap to care for. The average cost of caring for a dog is estimated at about $400 a year. That includes food, toys, vaccinations, and an annual visit to the vet. It cost a lot more if your dog gets sick or injured, has special dietary needs, or takes medication.
4. No time for pet — That’s a big excuse that rarely holds water for most shelters. What that means is that the family has gotten bored with caring for a pet.
5. Inadequate facilities — What this means is that the person doesn’t have a fenced in yard or outdoor space to house the dog. Why not bring the pet inside then? The dog was probably an indoor pet at first, but something happened, either with the dog or the dog’s family, and the decision was made to put the dog outside.
6. Too many pets in the home already — This usually is the case when dogs are not spayed or neutered. Sadly, people often take the oldest dog to the shelter because the family wants to keep the most newly acquired pet. Isn’t that sad?
7. Pet illness – All too often, people are forced to give up pets when they can’t afford to pay for veterinary care for a pet’s illness. I sympathize with people on this one, since there is no place for pet owners to turn right now to get help with medical expenses for their pets.
8. Personal problems — Divorce, job loss, major injury, foreclosure on your home are many of the personal reasons people give for giving up pets. This is tough because certainly if you can’t pay your own bills, it may be tough to care for a pet properly.
9. Biting — When a dog bites, he’s usually out of the house. Although I think it matters why he might have bitten someone or if the bite was a real bite or a snap. Dogs that snap are often warning people they are stepping over the line and need some training. Dogs that bite can be a problem.
10. No homes for littermates — Many people refuse to spay or neuter their dogs and the result is a few litters a year. While the pet owner may be able to find a home for one or two of the puppies, more often than not, the remaining littermates end up at the animal shelter.
This list just emphasizes the fact that dogs in shelters are sweet and loving, deserving of a second chance. Any type of dog you’re looking for can be found at the local shelter. Big, small, adult, and puppies are available for adoption.
The beauty above is Dogster’s own Blizzard, he’s in the Greenville (OH) area and is available for adoption. Isn’t it time you rock your world and adopt a new best friend?
I agree whole-heartedly that shelter pets/dogs are 100% love. I have often said that rescue pets make the sweetest pets becuase their little hearts and minds have been broken before and they just cant wait to devote their life to someone who will care for and love them.
We picked out dog up from the animal shelter I advise people to do so as it helps them
I’m a rescue doggie and I knew from the moment that mama and daddy came to meet me that I had a forever family. When my daddy went to heaven, I had a few moments of worry, but mama promised me that she would love and care for me all my days - and that we’d have lots of fun, too. Our lives have changed, but that love is strong, too strong for us to ever be apart. Mama says that a little planning goes a long way.
That makes me so sad. I have been fostering dogs for women who go to shelters because they have been abused by their spouses, it is very rewarding when rhey are reunited.
All reasons are sad and dishearting. We should also add military service. So many dogs are surrendered to shelters.
I would have expected allergies to be on the list…. most of the furs I have known that lost there home were because of merging families and allergies.
It is sad so many animals lose their homes so easily. Mommy made it clear that she would find a home or apartment that allows the pet. I am family and she could never just cut me out of her life. It is good being a rescue and knowing you are home forever… regardless how much your mommy may have to move…BOL!
I think most rescues are downright grateful for a loving home and try to push adoption from a shelter whenever my opinion is asked.
I think the main reason people give up dogs is ignorance. They didn’t do the research of what it takes to be a good dog owner, or realize the obligation you must make for your pet. They should be welcomed as a family member, not a possesion!
Shelter & rescue dogs make great pets. Some of them need a little work, some obedience classes, some TLC, some of them are “plug & play” but all of them are just looking for love and security. I had six dogs at one time all were rescues. One I got as a pup from an unplanned litter, one came from friends who had gotten him from a shelter and couldn’t keep him, all the rest came from shelters or rescue groups. They were all different breeds or mixes and had very different personalities, but they were all lovable and loving. The important thing for most people is to find a dog that is right for your family and has the same activity level. Don’t get a huge dog if you have a small place - don’t get a hyperactive dog if you are a couch potato. Try to find a dog you will be compatible with and it will be much easier to make him a furever friend.
I think people should take everything into consideration before they have decided to have a pet. Having a pet means a lot, caring, loving, being responsible, and more…
My Maggie was a rescued dog and I don’t think I’d ever want to have a dog that didn’t come from a shelter now. There are so many of them and they all deserve a second chance at life. I always feel bad for people who can’t afford to pay vet bills and health costs when their dog suffers a serious injury or illness. It’s such a hardship that when you hear about stories like the one Barbara Techel tells in Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog are so wonderful because you realize how much love there is between human and dog.
When I saw this subject title, I was wondering if I would see all the lame reasons we hear at the rescue.
In short; Yup, there they all are. 9 of the 10 are pretty lame…
pssh, I’d say the #1 reason is housetraining/training problems.
I’ve met so many people that say they got rid of their dog because he peed in the house! yeah? and? you have to TRAIN the dog. gah!
The only ‘reason’ I might agree with is biting. Everything else is just laziness. Last time I checked every state takes pets. I had a major injury, kept my dog, had surgery, kept my dog, had to move kept the dog. Even a ‘biter’ is workable.
So in other words it’s a human problem not a dog one; if people would learn about dog behavior, start training their dogs and practicing methods like NILF for leadership, and would not leave dogs and children unsupervised/teach their children how to properly behave around dogs, very few dogs would bite, and if people would actually do their research when it comes to dog breeding and not breed their dog just “because he/she’s cute/pretty/has a good personality” and would watch when their unaltered female is going into heat they probably wouldn’t have problems number 10.