Rehoming a pet- what to do if nobody is interested

wildo · 10-17-2011, 04:55 PM

A friend (big dog lover) is trying to rehome a blue heeler/lab mix for one of her friends that can apparently no longer support the dog. She's not having much luck with rehoming though so today she mentioned she would be taking the pup (5 month old) to the local humane society.

It got me thinking- that's pretty much a death sentence, no? Do you guys think that the actual owner would show more heart, compassion, and responsibility by taking the dog to her vet for a humane, calm, quiet euthanasia than sending them off to the HS? I know very few people that would hold that mindset: that killing the dog is more compassionate than sending to the shelter. But I'm kind of thinking that the odds are VERY high that the dog will be put down at the shelter anyway...

I guess the question I'm struggling with is simple: Is the potential chance that the dog may be adopted out worth the risk of a seriously scary, incompassionate death at the shelter compared to a euth process at the local vet where the dog can pass on next to its owner?

Quite honestly, I just don't know how to answer this question. Not everyone is quite as passionate about their dogs as most of the active members here on this forum...

wildo · 10-17-2011, 04:59 PM

Ethically though, I'm concerned that my idea of euth'ing the pup when you can no longer take care of it implies that it has absolutely no worth, no value in living. That seriously sends shivers down my spine. In no way would I want to have that held against me! I'm just thinking that if the owner could take some responsibility for the animal that depends on them in some way then that would be better than turning the animal over to the shelter... I don't know... I'm really struggling with this. Thoughts?

Mrs.K · 10-17-2011, 05:00 PM

Quote:

It got me thinking- that's pretty much a death sentence, no? Do you guys think that the actual owner would show more heart, compassion, and responsibility by taking the dog to her vet for a humane, calm, quiet euthanasia than sending them off to the HS? I know very few people that would hold that mindset: that killing the dog is more compassionate than sending to the shelter. But I'm kind of thinking that the odds are VERY high that the dog will be put down at the shelter anyway...

Yes, I'd rather take the dog to the vet myself and have the dog put down in my arms instead of dumping the dog at a shelter. It's my responsibility and while I got into very heated arguments about euthanazia... if I had no other option than dumping the pet in a kill shelter, I'd rather have it killed myself. That way I know it died in my arms and not in some cold place. It's not passing on the responsibility but taking it yourself. It's not easy to euthanize a pet and honestly, sometimes I think people dump their pets, ill, sick, super old, just because they don want to or can't do it themselves and that is wrong.

However, what about a non-kill rescue? Wouldn't that be an option for the pup?

Jax08 · 10-17-2011, 05:01 PM

At 5 months old, there is a chance he will be adopted. Second, find a no kill shelter. Third contact rescues to see if they will do courtesy posts. Post the puppy in vet offices. Post him in pet stores. Post the puppy on facebook and share it over and over and over.

I think in some cases it is kinder to euthanize an animal than take him to a shelter. I would rather know I was with my animal in her last moments than know she was terrified in a strange place that smells of death. It really depends on the situation.

wildo · 10-17-2011, 05:02 PM

I suggested the rescue route, but I did a google search and really didn't turn much up. I did find one cattle dog rescue in MI that I forwarded their information to her.

But to stay on topic- is a no-kill rescue an option in most cases? All I ever hear about rescues is that they are totally at or beyond capacity...

**JKlatsky** · 10-17-2011, 05:03 PM

Our local Humane Society is not like the County Pound. They only euthanize sick or dangerous animals, not just animals for space. That said, I know there are MANY more no kill rescue groups that pull their animals from the shelter or humane society and keep their dogs in fosters rather than a kennel facility. Maybe contact one of those?

Stosh · 10-17-2011, 05:04 PM

Our local Humane Society is a no kill shelter so maybe that's where you friend is taking the dog. But to your point- I would think the owner putting the dog down is more humane than the trauma of a high kill shelter then death. But it's the only chance the pup will get to have a new home, however low the odds

Germanshepherdlova · 10-17-2011, 05:06 PM

Has your friend tried posting up a sign at the vets office letting people know that she has a puppy that she needs to rehome?

Jax08 · 10-17-2011, 05:06 PM

This is a puppy. Look for an all breed rescue in the area. They quite often will do courtesy post on petfinder. A puppy has a very good chance. If she's short on money, call the local humane society and ask about food programs. Our shelter gives out extra food they have to low income people so they can keep their pets.

Mrs.K · 10-17-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildo

I suggested the rescue route, but I did a google search and really didn't turn much up. I did find one cattle dog rescue in MI that I forwarded their information to her.

But to stay on topic- is a no-kill rescue an option in most cases? All I ever hear about rescues is that they are totally at or beyond capacity...

I think it really depends if the dog is adoptable. Honestly, I wouldn't go the non-kill rescue route IF:

- there is an aggression issue that can't be fixed
- if my dog is so sick that it takes thousands of dollars of donations to get the dog fixed up before it can be adopted out and I don't want or can't cover the dog and just want to get rid of it and pass on the problem
-biblically old

In these cases I'd rather euthanize humanely without trying to strain the rescues more than they already are. It sucks, but in these cases, I'd euthanize and I don't care if people judge me because of it. I can see these dogs on Facebook on a daily basis and no way let I get any of my dogs in these kind of situations if they are that sick or old. I'd take the responibility and do it myself instead of having somebody else do it for me. It's what we owe them!

10-17-2011, 04:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,230	Rehoming a pet- what to do if nobody is interested A friend (big dog lover) is trying to rehome a blue heeler/lab mix for one of her friends that can apparently no longer support the dog. She's not having much luck with rehoming though so today she mentioned she would be taking the pup (5 month old) to the local humane society. It got me thinking- that's pretty much a death sentence, no? Do you guys think that the actual owner would show more heart, compassion, and responsibility by taking the dog to her vet for a humane, calm, quiet euthanasia than sending them off to the HS? I know very few people that would hold that mindset: that killing the dog is more compassionate than sending to the shelter. But I'm kind of thinking that the odds are VERY high that the dog will be put down at the shelter anyway... I guess the question I'm struggling with is simple: Is the potential chance that the dog may be adopted out worth the risk of a seriously scary, incompassionate death at the shelter compared to a euth process at the local vet where the dog can pass on next to its owner? Quite honestly, I just don't know how to answer this question. Not everyone is quite as passionate about their dogs as most of the active members here on this forum... __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

10-17-2011, 04:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,230	Ethically though, I'm concerned that my idea of euth'ing the pup when you can no longer take care of it implies that it has absolutely no worth, no value in living. That seriously sends shivers down my spine. In no way would I want to have that held against me! I'm just thinking that if the owner could take some responsibility for the animal that depends on them in some way then that would be better than turning the animal over to the shelter... I don't know... I'm really struggling with this. Thoughts? __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

10-17-2011, 05:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
wildo Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,230	I suggested the rescue route, but I did a google search and really didn't turn much up. I did find one cattle dog rescue in MI that I forwarded their information to her. But to stay on topic- is a no-kill rescue an option in most cases? All I ever hear about rescues is that they are totally at or beyond capacity... __________________ Willy Pimg - DOB: 2/06, CL1-R, CL1-S, CL1-F, CGC

10-17-2011, 05:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	Our local Humane Society is not like the County Pound. They only euthanize sick or dangerous animals, not just animals for space. That said, I know there are MANY more no kill rescue groups that pull their animals from the shelter or humane society and keep their dogs in fosters rather than a kennel facility. Maybe contact one of those? __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02

10-17-2011, 05:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Germanshepherdlova Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 2,935	Has your friend tried posting up a sign at the vets office letting people know that she has a puppy that she needs to rehome? __________________ You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Germa...96574693743892

10-17-2011, 05:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	At 5 months old, there is a chance he will be adopted. Second, find a no kill shelter. Third contact rescues to see if they will do courtesy posts. Post the puppy in vet offices. Post him in pet stores. Post the puppy on facebook and share it over and over and over. I think in some cases it is kinder to euthanize an animal than take him to a shelter. I would rather know I was with my animal in her last moments than know she was terrified in a strange place that smells of death. It really depends on the situation.

10-17-2011, 05:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stosh Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tyler texas Posts: 8,434	Our local Humane Society is a no kill shelter so maybe that's where you friend is taking the dog. But to your point- I would think the owner putting the dog down is more humane than the trauma of a high kill shelter then death. But it's the only chance the pup will get to have a new home, however low the odds

10-17-2011, 05:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	This is a puppy. Look for an all breed rescue in the area. They quite often will do courtesy post on petfinder. A puppy has a very good chance. If she's short on money, call the local humane society and ask about food programs. Our shelter gives out extra food they have to low income people so they can keep their pets.

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