My partner and I were embarrassed when we first thought about giving our dog Mallee up for adoption.
We placed an online advertisement a few weeks later, prepared to wait however long it took to find the ideal new house.
We eventually came to an improved living arrangement for both of us and Mallee despite the guilt (ours) and judgment (our friends) that followed.
But there is a nagging sense of guilt that lingers, which is most apparent when I catch myself skipping over the specifics of why there isn’t a pet at home in conversations with friends or coworkers.
Mia Cobb, a human-animal interaction specialist and lecturer at Deakin and Melbourne universities, claims that “there is stigma around [the idea] that people ditch their animals for convenience — it just got a bit too hard so they gave up.”
“I think that’s true in some cases, but I don’t think it’s right to generalize about everyone in that way.” “.
Why Do People Give Up Their Dogs?
Dogs are adopted by families for a variety of causes, and they do so with good intentions. Similar to how there are numerous factors that lead to the challenging decision to surrender a dog, That means that an unsuccessful adoption typically has a number of factors at play rather than just one. Certainly, no one plans on adopting a dog and it not working out. Instead, a family might be so eager to bring a dog into the family that they become overcome by the emotional aspects of a new pet and fail to notice any potential warning signs.
They are frequently some of the same reasons an adoption fails, and dogs are returned to the shelter, surrendered, or rehomed, in a manner similar to the reasons an adoption might be denied. The primary causes of adoption failure are issues involving the house or the people living there2:
Additionally, a pet’s surrender may be influenced by the pet owners’ way of life. This can include:
No matter how hard a family and dog try, these factors may ultimately be the reason the match is not right.
Introducing a dog to a new setting with unfamiliar people (and frequently other pets) is inherently difficult and occasionally stressful for everyone involved, including the dog. As a result, the new pet may display canine behaviors that a family may not have expected, such as chewing, jumping, marking, or other common canine behaviors like separation anxiety, that are not ideal for the new home. Often, this behavior can be controlled with training, but no matter how much a family wants the adoption to succeed, they may not have the time or resources to do so. Of course, some dogs may be aggressive. A family may need to take quick action to ensure the safety of family members and the dog if the home has young children. Rehoming a dog may raise ethical concerns for some people, but it may actually be in everyone’s best interests.
Sometimes, a doggy adoption fails because circumstances change suddenly. A family member or a pet may experience sudden medical problems that necessitate unexpected medical care or expenses. While a good pet health care plan with Pets Best can help lower a pet’s medical expenses, some families might not be able to give a pet the additional care needed to treat a serious or persistent health condition.
Similar to how job and school changes, as well as moving, can put a family through a lot of hardship and necessitate finding a new home for a dog. A pet’s unexpected costs or income loss can also be contributing factors. Due to marriage, pregnancy, or divorce, any of these occurrences may lead to substantial changes in a family as well as new family dynamics. Sadly, even though a family may adore their dog, there are times when a family’s limited resources will prevent the dog from receiving the love, care, and attention that it deserves.
When It Is Time to Surrender a Pet
If you ask people when is the best time to give up a pet, you’d probably get a wide range of responses. There is no such thing as a good reason for some people, while the welfare of the animal is their top priority.
Giving Up Your Pet for Adoption
The Anti-Cruelty Society is a shelter with open admission, so we take in any animals that arrive there. We will make every effort to find a new home for your pet even though we recognize that there are times when it may be necessary to give it up. Shelters, on the other hand, can be stressful for animals used to living in a home environment because they are full of animals and strangers, have unfamiliar routines, and are noisy. Shelters should be used as a last resort. Please be aware that the elevator goes to “1R” at 157 West Grand Avenue, which is where the animal admissions department is located. Our garage on Wells Street, just south of Grand Avenue, offers free parking.
The Anti-Cruelty Society is an open door shelter. We accept animals:
Important information regarding the surrender of animals: To surrender a pet, make an appointment by calling 312-645-8081 or sending an email to [email protected]. org to help us provide the best service possible.
If you have questions, call 312-645-8081, or email [email protected].
No one knows your pet better than you. You have a much better chance of finding a successful new home than anyone else because you are aware of their preferences, dislikes, interests, and temperament. Talk to your friends, post the details on social media, or even order adoption cards to hand out to strangers you encounter at the dog park or while out on the town. For both you and your pet, finding a new, permanent home for them can be rewarding.
Never abandon your animal. Please read Giving Up Your Pet (below) if these alternative resources don’t address the situation you are experiencing with your pet. The Anti-Cruelty Society welcomes all applicants and will take in any animal in need.
FAQ
How do dogs feel when you surrender them?
Although I had heard that when animals are upset, they can actually cry, I had never actually seen this happen. That is, until a few weeks ago. An owner turned in a black Labrador Retriever mix, but the dog remained by the owner’s side.
Should I feel bad about surrendering my dog?
Allow yourself time to process your loss and any guilt you may be experiencing as a result of placing your dog in a new home. Don’t suppress those unpleasant emotions of shame and guilt; otherwise, they will consume you in the future. Giving a dog away requires processing the pain, or it will consume you.
Will my dog miss me when I give him away?
When they are adopted by new people, many dogs go through a period of missing their previous owners. Depending on how strong their bond was, your dog may miss them more or less. When you first bring them home, you should think about this. It may take some time for your dog to process what is happening, so be patient.
Is it bad to give up your dog?
Try to stay as social and active as you can, but don’t push yourself too hard too soon. Giving up a pet is heartbreaking, but in cases where both his and your wellbeing are at risk, it might be the best option for everyone. No matter how many years go by, no one will ever fill the void you left in his heart.