Would you give a dog or cat away because it has become a financial burden?

Never. If I were Queen of the world (strangely, no one has nominated me), I would license people to own animals. One thing they would sign is a financial responsibility document. Much of our problem with pet overpopulation is because animals become “inconvenient.” It’s an excuse for irresponsibility.

Genuine hardship is a different situation, but usually that is not what is involved.

I actually had to do this. Luckily though we were able to give the dog to a family member and we’re able to still see her.

Katie has had various health problems that we just could not afford to keep up with and then we moved into an apartment that did not allow pets.

1. Katie was bit by a rattlesnake
2. She was allergic to the antivenom (This was a $2000 ER bill)
3. She got heart worms (we got her from the pound)
4. She was hit by a car (the person ran her over and the backed up over her again)
5. She was attacked by coyotes
6. The cat scratched her eye causing eye damage
7. She’s had two tumors
8. She’s been attacked by neighborhood dogs twice
9. And now from staying outdoors to avoid being hit by another car or attacked again, she’s overweight.

Each of those things caused us to take her to the vet and I can’t even tell you how much money has been poured into that poor dog! She’s on daily medications and has had many surgeries.

Anyway, my in laws are better off than us and have a love for animals. When were struggling to find a place to live that would accept her, they offered to take her in. It broke my heart giving her up but we just couldn’t afford her anymore and at least we know she is cared for and get to see her often. If it hadn’t been for the in laws, we would have kept searching for somewhere to live and tried our best to provide what she needed medically.

Because of this experience, we now realize that we cannot afford to have a pet and will not take another one in unless we could afford one with as many problems as Katie has. And in that case we would just arrange to get Katie back.

@ marina: i could never give up my pets either. did hear lately that people feel like they can no longer afford fluffy and fido. monkee, my cat and max, my shih-tzu are part of the family! not to mention my three large oscars which if things get real tight, i’ll have to filet for a fish fry one night—nah just kidding!

If I felt like I didn’t have the money to properly care for an animal, I would rather give it away (hopefully temporarily to a friend or relative) rather then provide it with inadequate care. It’s almost a little selfish to me to have the animal suffer rather then get what it needs.

If it was just a matter of saving some cash however, then no, I wouldn’t- but then again if I thought like that I would probably never get a pet in the first place.

@jballou That’s exactly why I gave Katie up. We spent close to $8000 in one year on her medical care not counting standard shots and food. It was just more than we could handle. I couldn’t handle the bill but couldn’t watch her suffer either. I’m just glad we knew someone that could provide for her.

@dragonfly: WOW!

@dragonflyfaith Poor Katie and poor you!! That’s an awful lot to happen to just one dog!! she must be part cat and it looks like she has used up 8 of her 9 lives!

@scamp I know, she’s one lucky dog! I sometimes wonder what she went through before we got her from the pound!

I think a lot of people don’t realize what a huge responsibility having a pet is. I know when we got her I didn’t realize it myself, I thought I did but I know now that I had no idea. Next time we get a pet I want to be in a much better situation in case something does go wrong.

We still contribute to her expenses monthly as I didn’t want to abandon her needs.

I’m sorry that all those things happened to your dog. I am sure she is grateful to have people who care.

I think Katie was lucky to have you for qa Mom, even if it was for a short time. a lesser person wouldn’t have done as much as you have for her. I’m glad she is with your family so you can still see her sometimes. That has to help ease the pain of giving her up.

Unless it was dire straits, I would never give up my animals. I’d pull the money from wherever I had to in order to keep my babies. I have a $10,000 cat; I have spent at least this much on her care for the last 7 years. I actually moved to a cheaper place in order to keep her and my other cats. Now that I’m financially stable, I’m so glad I didn’t give up on keeping my pets.

To be honest, I am appalled when I hear people say they are going to give up their
pet(s) because their new place won’t accept pets, or because they never bothered to train their animals, and now they have behavior problems. Personnally, I find this reprehensible. I wouldn’t give up a child for any of these reasons, so why my beloved animals?

If you can’t provide for your animal, then give it to someone who can!

I know how tough it is to give up an animal that you love, but you have to do what is in everyone’s best interests! My wife and I had to give our Siamese kitten, Lily, to a very good friend, in fear that she might harm our new baby girl! She was an awesome cat, but Avery comes first! I know that she will be well taken care of. I made sure of that, by buying all of her essentials for the adopting friend! We still have our eight year old cat Bela Lugosi, mainly because he shows sign of love towards our newborn!

The other day, I was changing Avery’s diaper, and Bela seriously stood there to help calm her down! Lily on the other hand kept stalking Avery! She is young and curious, so our household is not the best place for her now, but I have went and visited her a couple of times in order to make sure she is adjusting to the change. She is doing great! My daughter’s best interests come before any animal!

Weigh your options, and do what is in everyone’s best interests!

Best of luck with your situation!

I would NEVER give my pets away if they were a financial burden. Sometimes they are a financial burden, but I can not imagine my life without them. I have six pets, 4 Siamese cats and two dogs. I would sooner starve myself or beg on the streets than give them away. Would you give your child away if it became a financial burden?

@bulb Of course the baby comes first! I am glad—and not at all surprised—you were responsible about finding the kitten a good home, though. Lucky Avery with thoughtful parents!

Never. I have a lizard that costs me at least 3 to 4 grand annually. I would only give him up if I were forced in to a situation where I could not keep him properly (no matter how much I adore him, his health and safety come first). I, then, would find someone educated enough to take care of him.

@tinyfaery but what if you didn’t have the money to get them the medical care they needed? Wouldn’t it be better to let them go to someone who could take better care of them than you could. I think your post was rather harsh. It sounds like dragon did what he/she thought was in his/her pet’s best interest, and tho it’s a sad story, I applaud him/her for thinking of his/her pet. Like delirium said. the pet’s health and safety come first.

@Del – Dang! How can a lizard cost you 3 to 4 grand annually?

Very specific herbivorous diet that has to be varied every day. He needs a massive enclosure that needs to have temps from 130 degrees F on one side, and 80 on the other side. Vet bills. Constant changing of his environment (he gets bored). The electricity bill is pretty incredible. As is the grocery bill from getting him veggies every two days. He’s the cutest thing Ever! His name is Little Foot. He’s from the sahara desert.

I did say dire straits. And what if you can’t find someone to take your animal? Do you euthanize, or turn it over to the shelter? I didn’t mean to be harsh. People do what they think they have to do, but I can choose what I think about it.

if it were necessary i would give away my dog because they have to be cared for more and eat more and cats can take care of themselves and easier but personally i love dogs i dont really care for cats but if its for finacial reasons then theres my opinion. hope i helped

If I were completely disabled or financially destitute, I would absolutely send him to a better home. That would just completely suck, though. How depressing. :^(

no id keep it like that guy in “the day after tomorow”

Circumstances are so different in each situation. Yes, I could give an animal to someone else if I could not afford them if it was good for the animal and good for the person So I found homes for some of my horses as I retired. I want to be able to make decisions on their care with out the $ being the big factor. I did have 26 and now have 12. But if the $ was not in any way going to bring a solution to the animals life I would also consider euthanasia so that I can make its end comfortable and unfrightened. Your kitty was/is an adventurer. I had a horse like that, every picture we have of him he has a bandage on somewhere ! He sure cost me a fortune at the vets !