Through this heartbreaking process, I wanted to share a couple of things with you. We NEVER thought we’d ever have to make a decision between our pet and the safety of our child, but alas, that is what it came down to. If you are ever faced with a similar decision here’s what you can do.
to make re-homing your pet a little easier:
1) Start the re-homing process early and get REPUTABLE rescues involved. Posting an ad in the local paper will get you lots of people who want a cool looking dog, a rescue will help you screen potential new families for dangers and concerns.
2) Ignore the malice of those who are bound to contact you. I received numerous e-mails from people when we had her listed for a new home. But what surprised me was the 10PM calls from non-reputable “rescues” anonymously telling me to get rid of my child and keep our pet. Some people are just insane! Push them to the back of your mind as much as you can.
3) If it comes to the point where you have to make a hard call, search for all options, but set a definite time frame. There are always what-ifs when it comes to waiting. But those what-ifs can be devastating when they amount to nothing and you have to go through it again, and again, and again.
4) Always ask to be able to visit your pet. Even if you never plan to go, the possibility that you might show up with deter those who are just looking to pass your pet off to the next person for a quick buck.
5) Ask for your pet to be returned to you if they can’t keep them. No matter the time frame. The last time our pup was re-homed, she was gone for a month. Still, when she couldn’t be kept, it was in her best interest to come home to us.
6) Don’t just drop your pet and run. Take them for a couple of visits and make sure you see where they will be going. When you finally drop them off they will know their new family, and it won’t be as great an adjustment for them.
7) Love them, no matter what. We are caretakers of these beautiful creatures, and it is up to us to make the best decisions we can given the circumstances.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Receive our Newsletter!
If you enjoy our posts, please consider taking a moment to follow us! Pardon My Poppet is on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest. Or you can grab our RSS Feed or Subscribe via E-mail!
These are really good tips. We don’t have pets, and so you just never think of this, but this will be really helpful to those who do.
Courtney~Mommy LaDy Club recently posted..Battle of The Leading Men! Round 3: Hugh Jackman vs. Gerard Butler
It’s great that you’re posting tips for anyone who may be having to deal with such circumstances. I’m sure it’s a really hard process to have to go through, for everyone.
So sorry you’re going through that. You gave really good advise. The only caution might be that telling people you want to be able to visit your pet could deter a good new home.
We lost our dog to cancer three years ago. That was hard. We wanted to get another dog, but my son developed allergies, so now we’re a dogless family. Don’t like! But I’m really glad we didn’t rush into getting another dog only to have to rehome it.
Columba Lisa Smith recently posted..Messages of Hope from Aurora, Colorado
Agreed! But rescues have said that even if you never intend to visit, make sure to ask if you can so someone does not take your pet to just turn around and sell it off to someone else.
Oh how heartbreaking that you have to go through this. I saw the name of the post and had to come and read but it would kill me to have to make that choice. I am sure you will find the home you need for your fur baby.
I’m so sorry you had to give up a pet, but your advice here is great!
We had to re-home our black lab when we moved from house to non-pet friendly apartment living, particularly a large dog. It was quite difficult, in large part for the reasons you mentioned. Giving up a beloved pet is never easy — and receiving hateful calls and email sure doesn’t help. We agonized and cried at giving our dog away, but it had to be done.
I hope you remember the good times more than this sad time in the years to come.
Family Travels on a Budget recently posted..Vacation at Lake Gaston, VA