It's heartbreaking to have to give up on a pet.  Sometimes situations arise that are out of our control and we have done all we can to keep our fuzzy best friend but we can't.  When that happens, you must be extra careful about where you send your best friend.  You must do vet checks, home visits, backgrounds checks etc..

But, before you get to that point, is there any way your fur baby can stay with you?

 


Before you give away your best friend

Is your friend better off with somone else? 

Check the news and check craigslist to see that rehomed and adopted animals don't always wind up in a good place.
Chaz, an adopted dog was dumped at vet clinic with several stab wounds.  He died. http://www.kens5.com/home/Victim-of-abhorrent-animal-cruelty-Chazz-dies-80139562.html
Other examples: http://fuzzychildren.blogspot.com/2009/12/warning-to-people-posting-free-pets.html

Bruno was adopted on a Saturday and abandoned by Monday. He was put to sleep. http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Rescue_group_upset_over_puppys_death.html
 
A man was convicted of mutilating cats that he got from craigslist
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/MYSA091807_01B_AnimalCruelty_33ca53b_html3157.html
 
 
Allergies
Try bathing the dog or cat more often.  Set up a dog/cat free zone in your house.  Take medication.  Are you sure it is the dog/cat or something else that is causing problems?
A lot of people simply live with the allergies.
See more tips here: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/allergies_pets.html
and here:  http://humanesociety.blogspot.com/2009/02/ways-to-beat-allergies-and-keep-your.html
 

Finances

Look at places where you can cut back - coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, junk food, sodas.  Try a meal with beans and rice instead of meat.  A pack of rice and a pack of beans will cost about a dollar and yield about 10 servings - full of protein, fiber, and vitamins.
Is that cable TV (nay, the TV itself) more important that your best friend?
Turn off the cable, start selling furniture, jewelry, etc..

Most people's finance are tight right now, we must plan ahead.  A little extra precaution  and planning ahead can save a lot of money at end.
If your best friend runs loose on the streets, he/she will eventually be hit by a car or injured some other way.  An emergency vet bill can be $600 to $1,000.00 or more
If you know you can't afford 900 heartworm treatment, spend 10 dollars a month on heartworm preventative
Yearly shots add up to about 10 a month or less. Dogs/cats who don't get their yearly shots, will probably catch Parvo or distemper or some other disease that will cost thousands of dollars to remedy. Don't take chances with your pets' health


More info here: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html
http://fuzzychildren.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-cant-afford-vet-care.html
 

Time

Don't have time to spend your pets?  Do you think your pet is better off in a shelter?  Most shelters are closed by 5 or 7 PM and the dogs and cats are alone for 12 to 14 hours in a kennel. When the shelter is open, workers are busy cleaning feeding, helping customers, etc.. Your pet may or may not get socialization time when staff is on the premises.
 
If you give your best friend away to another family, do you think the new parents will have time?  Most people work 8 to 12 hours a day.  Pet parents just have to set priorities. Get up a little earlier to walk your pet before work.  Take your lunch break at home if possible.  Plan your social life around your pet. Instead of going to the movies, go to a free dog walking meetup.  For more info see: http://fuzzychildren.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-dont-have-time-for-your-pets.html
 

Behavioral Issues

Many behavioral issues can be resolved by simply getting your dog tired. Take him/her for a long walk before and after work. Play fetch in the yard.  Take your best friend to the dog park (if she/she is dog friendly).  Consult a specialist if necessary. Can't afford a trainer or behaviorist?  Once again, look at where you can cut back or find free trainings. Many animal meetup groups have free or low cost training sessions.  Or look at money saving tips at http://fuzzychildren.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-cant-afford-vet-care.html
Has your pet been spayed or neutered.  Sometimes sterilization can solve behavioral issues. 
Free low cost spay neuter -
http://www.animalresource.org/
http://www.adltexas.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=9&id=49&Itemid=77
http://www.snipsa.org/SNI/Home
 
Escaping

Keep the dog/cat in the house to prevent escaping.  Sometimes dogs escape out of boredom and loneliness. Take the dogs for walks, to parks, let him/her see/smell different places and things. Secure you yard. Build a taller/sturdier fence. Think you can't afford a better fence? Refer back to money saving tips at http://fuzzychildren.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-cant-afford-vet-care.html


No room/dog has outgrown the apartment

How much does the average big dog weigh?  50 pounds? 80 pounds?  130 pounds?  Now how much do you weigh?  If you fit into the apartment, then surely your dog can to.

 
Moving

How big is your big dog?  Maybe 2 to 3 feet high?  3 to 4 feet long?  Now how big is that sofa? That big screen TV? That refrigerator?  If they can be moved, how about your dog as well?  Are those things more important than your dog?  Sell or give way your sofa, a few clothes etc.. to make room for your big dog in the car.  Having trouble finding a new place that will accept your pets?  It can be hard but not impossible. 
One thing you can do is google "pet friendly apartments" and see what comes up.

Try: http://www.myapartmentmap.com/pet_friendly/
Something else you can try is to talk to landlord or management company. Even if their stated policy is that they don't allow pets, ask them to meet your pets, show them good references from your last place, show them your pets' Canine Good Citizenship certification.  Offer a huge pet deposit.
Can't afford a huge pet deposit?  Borrow the money, even get a payday loan if you have to. Then pay the money back quickly by cutting back on food, entertainment, etc..

 

See more info on keeping your pet here:

http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/index.html

 
 
 
 
http://fuzzychildren.blogspot.com/
http://latrenda.blogspot.com
http://rrc.petfinder.com