WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE!!

I understand what you are saying, but you need to have some compassion for the owners as well. Not all allergies are easily treatable. My mom will break out in hives when she is around a cat, it is much more than just watery eyes and sneezing. Also, some people are leaving bad situations, such as an abusive relationship, getting a divorce, etc and have to get their lives in order before they are able to once again care for a living thing.

I know many people are simply irresponsible, but give them the benefit of the doubt.

Oh dont get me wrong I understand there are sometimes extenuating circumstances but I think many people take the easy way out by just discarding their pets instead of figuring out a good solution. Also if someone is so allergic to an animal they break out in hives they should never adopt that type of an animal in the first place thus they would not have the issue of dumping that animal at the pound.

That's right sister! My sentiments exactly. Sammy, I understand you are trying to be compassionate and I don't harsh you for that. But animals are seen by many as something disposable. Sorry, but I don't really care if you are getting a divorce, or have to move, or had a baby, or found some new boy/girlfriend and they are "allergic". I don't care. That is no reason to abandon a living creature dependant on you. You have the choice to have a pet or not. You shouldn't decide to make that commitment unless you are willing to fullfill it NO MATTER WHAT. Yes, life happens, things change, but get over it, make it work. You just think what you are going through is bad. What are you putting that poor, helpless, innocent animal through by tossing it aside and stripping it from every comfort, every happiness it has ever known and forcing it into a life where it has to hope someone will have pitty on it and give it a second chance. That is if they happen to be one of the very few in the shelter system lucky enough to meet one of these angels of mercy and rescue before the "pink juice" comes. Off the soap box now, but I am with Lucy. SICK OF THE LAME EXCUSES!!!!!

I get upset also when I see people getting rid of their pets. I'm not much for excuses because I know what I had to go thru to keep mine in 2004 when I got divorced. I had to live with friends for 5 months, board my dogs in Martinsville then drive down there on the weekend & bring them home for one night. I had to sell my van at the end of their boarding time in order to pay the bill. I won't buy a house if I can't accomodate my dogs. Some people may think it's sad that I consider them my life but that's the way it is & their opinion doesn't count anyway. My friend has bad allergies & she has 14 horses, goats, llamas, cats & dogs. She takes vitamins to keep her allergies under control. If you don't love them then don't get them to begin with.

I actually was "one of those" a few years back when my Aussie nipped the neighbor kids once too many times...3 times over a 3-year period. I knew he was just "herding" and he didn't hurt anybody...we had a personal trainer come in, he'd been to advanced obedience school, etc. etc. and he was a great dog; knew dozens of commands. However, the neighbor (a "friend" of mine!) was convinced he was a "vicious dog" and threatened to sue us. They actually called Animal Control and the police to come out one day...and the nip hadn't even broken skin! She had a great fear of dogs and just didn't understand behavior; only saw him as a threat. So, we had no choice but to get rid of the dog; he was my dog, my running partner, etc. and I truly was in mourning for months over it. He used to sleep with my son, even! Both sons had a hard time getting over it, too; he was a beloved family member.
Soooo....don't pass judgment on people; just try to find out the circumstances and then try to help them.
P.S. Boomer went to a lady who had Parkinson's and became somewhat of a "therapy dog" for her, so all worked out well. Unfortunately, we have lost track of him, as she eventually gave him away (!?) No, I guess I'm still not over him...its been 6-ish years.

Well said, Lucy.

Preach it Lucy! I give a hearty amen!!!

Kathi...your circumstance was very different from someone who decides they just don’t want to deal or put up with their pet anymore for various ridiculous reasons. I must admit I do not know what I would have done in your situation but I think most people would agree that you finding a good solution and giving your dog to a loving home, not just dropping him off at the pound, was a much better and caring decision. But again to be completely honest I just don’t know what I would do in that situation because I couldn’t think of giving Lucy away.
Please understand that I am not "Passing Judgment" on anyone, I am simply stating that (and especially based on the recent posts) I believe uncaring and uneducated Pet Owners think pets are disposable and most of the time they just want to find the easy way out of the responsibility of having a pet.
Life happens, things come up that people never think about but does that mean a Pet Owner shouldn’t consider their pet like a family member and do everything possible to work something out instead of getting rid of their pet? In my book ABSOLUTELY. Once you decide to adopt a pet, take in a stray, whatever that pet is your responsibility and you should take care it no matter what or like others have said don’t get a pet in the first place.
There is always a better solution then dropping you pet off at the pound but it takes time to figure out the best solution. Again I am not saying everyone nor am I saying you have to agree with this statement but this is my opinion. Becoming a Pet Parent should be something people take seriously and that they know they are in it for life.

I think too many people take the idea of owning a pet way too lightly. PJ is our family's first dog. I would hear a co-worker (and others)talk about leaving her dog in a garage or tied up, etc. and I knew that was no way for a dog to live. I knew when we got a dog, it would be a real member of our family and the dog would be treated according, i.e. I would never lock my son in the garage, thus I would never do it to my "dog son". My husband and I waited til our kids were older and til we could have a fenced backyard where our dog could play safely. Like anything else good in life, we waited and planned. PJ is the best thing to happen to us in a long time and we are commited to him for life.

I agree. I get sick to my stomach every time I read the daily deals.... there are so many people giving up their pets in there. I don't understand it. I waited 30 years to have a dog of my own... now my 2 dogs are like my children and will always be a part of me. I love them more than most people I know! Actually, there are several people I would like to drop off at the shelter and put in a cage... they deserve it alot more than animals. Animals are so wonderful because all they know is love... they don't have the cerebral cortex or brain capacity to know how to lie, cheat, hurt, decieve, or do all the other horrible things humans do. And they don't reject you. Pure unconditional love. And if a dog turns out mean its because it was Raised that way...!!! Probably from an abusive owner. Animals (dogs in particular) are my love.... I don't know if I'll ever have human children but I know I want my furry children forever.

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