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I was just watching the news - animal shelters that were empty during the pandemic are now full. Not because of new animals entering, but because people who got animals during the pandemic are returning them because their lives are getting back to "normal" and they can't take care of them anymore.

Are people that fucking stupid? Did they think the pandemic would last forever? Do they think these precious babies are stuffed animals that they can just give away/toss aside when things get real?

We got a puppy in March. Before I brought him home, I already looked into doggie daycare/dog walker options because I knew at some point I would return to the office. That time has come (3 days a week) and he's set up for daycare and he really loves it. Is it cheap? No. But I would not have gotten the dog if I did not research the cost of properly owning one.

This does NOT include foster animals - foster families are awesome! That's what these people should have done if they were not going to make these poor animals a true part of their family. Now they sit in shelters not knowing what they did to deserve that.

[This message edited by Lalagirl at 8:24 AM, July 27th (Tuesday)]

That is so heartbreaking!

They should make it so PEOPLE need a license to own pets not the other way around.

So true, Dragn!

This is so aggravating. I was wondering what would happen when all these people went back to work.

People wonder why the reputable shelters make you jump through hoops to adopt one of their dogs. Most of those dogs have been through so much already.

People wonder why the reputable shelters make you jump through hoops to adopt one of their dogs. Most of those dogs have been through so much already.

YES!!! It drives me batty when people complain about having to fill out a bunch of paperwork and have home visits when adopting a dog. I have a 3 legged Chihuahua that was dumped at shelters twice by families that adopted him and was a stray for a while, all before he was 3 years old, and then whatever the hell happened to his leg (we don't know).

We adopted him in November of 2019 and he is the sweetest sweetest baby, he and I are so attached to each other. But his foster mom grilled my ass and came over and inspected my home and family with a fine tooth comb, because they didn't want him returned AGAIN, he couldn't handle more abandonment.

I can't imagine these poor pets being adopted, people being home with them all day, and now that it is time to go back to work they are dumped at a shelter and sleeping in a cage and having no family. Add in the fact that these pets have to decompress so it likely took them 6 months to a year to really get settled in, only to be uprooted now. It makes me so mad and sad.

I was in tears watching this on the news this morning. I just don't understand.

God bless these abandoned animals.

Bless you stubbornft for giving your fur baby a loving home.

I adopted a terrier mix that was neglected and left outside for 2-3 years in a climate that gets extremely cold and hot. It took months for him to relax but he is a real sweetie and my little buddy. I love him so much!!!!

I was happy to show the shelter my home, yard, provide references and fill out a lengthy questionnaire. It showed me they care.

I don't either Lala. I don't understand abandoning and mistreating innocent creatures. I wish I could help all of them.

[This message edited by zebra25 at 1:08 PM, July 27th (Tuesday)]

Some people treat animals like toys or decor.

My guys have literally been in the house once since Jan 2020, alone. Prior to that if we were going someplace over 4 hours our neighbor kept them. They are so use to either my daughter or myself being home they would have aniexty.

The shelter I work with hasn't seen as much of that and I suspect it is due to the hoops you have to jump through to adopt. We get returns, don't get me wrong, but they're the same as they ever were. Someone dying has been more common than usual this past year, sadly. The most common is still "OMG this cute puppy grew up and ate my walls and pees everywhere and has way too much energy". You can generally find an 8 - 10 month old Husky or German Shepherd at our shelter.

Now, I do think we're seeing a few more younger dogs dumped and turned into us than before. So we're getting really nice looking strays. Those are probably pandemic pets. The ones with nicely trimmed nails, recently bathed, really friendly dispositions...

I was scared that would happen. We got a lovely raptor, er um, black lab puppy in January (almost 8 months old now) and had to jump through considerable hoops. The rescues I was in contact with had thousands of applications for one litter of puppies.

My baby girl is naughty and has so much energy I am taking her for her own walk (10 kms) at night because my older dogs are exhausted. This is the age many beautiful pups end up back in the shelter. And shame SHAME on anyone who got a dog or cat while home because of the pandemic and now is returning it.

I swear Labs are the worst dogs in the world as puppies and then around age 2 become the best dogs in the world, lol. I had one way back when and that precious baby at 9 months chewed a hole through the floor of the house I was renting...the actual floor. Big enough for a human to crawl out of. At about 2 1/2, she became the most perfect dog I've ever had.

Oh Northen I feel your pain.

I have 2 labs, one that is 12.5, and one that is 2.5. My 12.5 yo is actually bad if she doesn't get exercised still. We do fetch for her with a lacrosse ball and raquet, that way you never have to touch a slimy ball.

The 2.5 yo is a master HRC dog, and he is trained for duck hunting so he is not as easy to exercise because you have to follow all the rules with him, meaning he has to sit and stay until you release him. I do dokken's with him and throw about 3-4 at a time, and have him retrieve. We also hide ducks for him and make him follow hand signals. He loves it, and it exercises not only his body but his mind and that is SUPER important with labs.

As far as people returning dogs and cats, I would like to say I'm surprised but I'm not. Now you could figure that on average there is always a certain percent of dogs that get returned due to inability to train (owner issue) or behavior issues (not enough exercise 99% of the time). But to return a dog because you returned to work is just wrong and as far as I am concerned there is a special place in hell for you.

It’s also impossible to get an appointment at a veterinary hospital or emergency vet because there are so many new pet owners who don’t know what they’re doing. I had to take one of my cats in last night and the wait in the parking lot to be seen was eight hours.There needs to be a training of sorts for the humans so that they know what to do with their animals.

DevastatedDee: You're so right! I had two labs before my combination now of 2 Newfies and my lab girl. They were EXACTLY what you said...crazy until they hit about 3 years old. And holy hell, I just laughed out loud at the hole in the floor visual. I supervise her extensively but have to say there have been MANY Turner and Hooch moments "Don't eat the car...NOT the Car!!!"

TushNurse.: That sounds VERY interesting. This baby girl has a nose on her that is off the chain incredible. She can find ANYTHING and you can actually see her do a grid search looking. We go out to a local field here to walk them with a lacrosse stick and neon orange street hockey balls and throw, and throw, and throw...She passed beginner obedience and does beautiful hill work. AND we have been doing agility since she was 5 months old and she loves it. Collapses like a dropped bag of bricks for the ride home, snoring like an intoxicated sailor. lol

I don't understand how anyone gives any animal back. I have three rescue cats I couldn't let the Bylaw dude put down and you would have to step over my dead body to take any of my 6 babies. Even then it isn't a given you could take them. They are family.

[This message edited by NorthernMSB at 10:02 PM, July 27th (Tuesday)]

I need a vet appointment, prior to this I got same day or next. I called, my vet of 20 year next Monday.

People are also seeing rising costs and may not be able to afford the new pets.

The wait at vet's offices and emergency clinics has been going on for many months, and we've been the victim of it; we've never been told eight hours, but routinely were told 4-6. Some emergency clinics basically said they weren't even putting anyone on their wait lists. Thankfully they always referred to another clinic. I keep meaning to bake some brownies or cookies and take them into my vet's office to thank them for the times they've let me drop my dog off and have him seen between already scheduled appts.

On the brighter side, one of my H's co-workers just rescued a dog this week, so they are still going out... maybe not at the rate they're being returned. 😢 I applaud her for making sure her living situation was appropriate before committing to a dog. I'm so happy for her - she lives alone, but has to go into work; I'm sure she investigated her doggy day care options before adopting. But yea, she complained about the lengthy process she had to go through; secretly, I said to myself, I'm so glad they put her through the ringer.

That makes me sick. A pet is forever. Ugh.

I got a puppy 4 years ago. Had no idea what i was getting into! He is our last pet for a long time!! Would i give him up ever? No way! Hes my 4th child!!!