a letter to those abandoning their pets

[rog1006]

I think most of us in rescue ask the situation before passing judgement. If a family has done everything in their power to work with whatever situation has brought them to us, then we work with them. It's just that most people don't. Period. Nine out of ten phone calls I take are those people the letter addresses and to read that post and understand that others feel the same FRUSTRATIONS I do, did make me feel like "THANK GOD I'm not the only one feeling this way!" Sometimes I hang up the phone and go into a total depression for the rest of the night because of what someone just told me about the dog they "have to give up." One man called us last year and "had" to give his 1yr old brindle female to us because she kept knocking pebbles into the pool and he couldn't stand scooping them out. Another couple called to give us a nine year old male as he had started to have a bit of incontinence and they were buying a new home and "there was no way she was letting THAT DOG ruin her new floors." I could go on and on. It's truly disgusting and makes me feel sick to my stomach about people in general and how uncaring many can be. Most of the time, we have to bite our tongues as we know if we say all those things we want to say, there's a good chance they WON'T give the dog to us and they'll dump him or her at the shelter, or worse, the desert. (just took a 5 month old boy in last night who was left in the desert---both front and lack legs are injured as he may have literally been "dumped") THAT'S why the letter felt so good to read.

If you aren't that person, I cannot imagine why it would have offended you...

[xenaprincess]

Originally Posted by rog1006

If you aren't that person, I cannot imagine why it would have offended you...

That comment is very unfair! The letter is offensive to me because it generalizes ALL who surrender an animal. I understand rescues and shelters see alot of heartbreaking and frustrating situations...I get that! Yes, the cases of surrendering are surely 9 times out of 10 for stupid reasons. However, that other 1% are being generalized with all irresponsible owners, and if you think that this letter wouldn't offend them, then your mistaken.
I've only stated my opinion and thoughts on this letter because it hit a nerve for me while in the midst of trying to find help for moms and kids to have the opportunity to hold onto a precious family member. The letter speaks on behalf of rescue/shelter workers and their frustrations. I am only speaking on these family's behalf and their frustrations. The letter says "don't dare judge me", well the same applies to the ones surrendering. I can see that this is a mute point so I am going to let it go now.

[Claudia807]

This letter has made the rounds several times on various rescue lists and such. I don't know exactly the best way to word this, but it is perhaps better left in that environment, where rescue volunteers are reading it . . . but not the general public. The only way I have been able to keep halfway sane over the years (of volunteering for a rescue) is to be able to talk to my fellow volunteers and vent about some of the the things that happen. As rescue volunteers we do sometimes get cynical and maybe even a little crabby from time to time.

Of all the people who have surrendered dogs to our rescue over the years, I can only think of a small handful that I felt were truly legitimate. The vast, vast majority of dogs are surrendered because they have in some way become an inconvenience to someone.

[meb999]

Originally Posted by Claudia807

I don't know exactly the best way to word this, but it is perhaps better left in that environment, where rescue volunteers are reading it . . . but not the general public. The only way I have been able to keep halfway sane over the years (of volunteering for a rescue) is to be able to talk to my fellow volunteers and vent about some of the the things that happen. As rescue volunteers we do sometimes get cynical and maybe even a little crabby from time to time.
.

I agree with you....I sincerely thought this was a rescue forum. I wish I could edit the OP, but this forum won't let me.

[Linswatson]

Let's end this with a high note - over just the last 4 days Senna has done exceedingly well in her new home. Her new owner adores her, she is on a good schedule and I know I did the best thing I could have done for Senna. She has handled this transition better than I could have possibly hoped and I'm so proud of her!

And to anyone else out there who has a very good reason to re-home their pet, just know that if you do the right thing and take the time to make sure your baby is going to a good home, you'll be able to part with your dog with a full heart knowing that you've made that decision in order to give them a better life.

[gmacleod]

Originally Posted by Claudia807

This letter has made the rounds several times on various rescue lists and such. I don't know exactly the best way to word this, but it is perhaps better left in that environment, where rescue volunteers are reading it . . . but not the general public.

Yes, and it's been posted several times already on this site also over the years. Once was more than adequate

I agree with you....I sincerely thought this was a rescue forum. I wish I could edit the OP, but this forum won't let me.

It is a rescue forum. On a publically accessible website with nearly 40,000 members. You thought only those involved in rescue could view it or post here? If that were the case, YOU could not have posted here (the forum software doesn't have ESP). Sorry, but if you post an aggressive (near abusive) letter like that - with no disclaimer or explanation whatsoever - on a publically accessible website where the majority of members experience rescue from the position of adopter or of being the one giving up a pet, well you've got to anticipate that the majority of feelings won't be the same as yours.

If you want to "vent" frustrations, write your own letter But remember to put in a proper context. I doubt that anyone here would fail to have sympathy with someone sick of seeing the ugly side of humaity when it comes to pets treated as disposable objects. But if you just slap an anonymous letter like that one up - which comes across as decidedly applying to anyone giving up a pet for any reason, and (frankly) as more than a little self centered, then you'd be expecting rather a lot if you thought everyone would be sympathetic and nobody felt attacked. It's not exactly as if anyone here knows you or whatever work you do in rescue, is it?

This thread has more than served it's purpose, your frustrations have been well and truely vented here and it's time it died a natural death.