Have any of you given up your pets and why?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

I had to give up the ex's cat:

1. pooped outside the litter box.

2. beat up the puppy on a regular basis

3. beat up my cat on a regular basis.

4. started crying around 5.00 am and would not stop.


5. i was pretty sure i was going to lose my mind.

(on edit: i used to be very judgemental of people who gave up their pets. giving up this cat taught me a lesson or two)

[malta blue]

1. I had to give up my cat a couple of years ago

but he luckily lives with DUer Hedgehog now.

He would spray the house when my husband moved in with his cat. My guy is so old, but he is very happy with Hedgehog, as it seems he gets much more attention over there then he did at home with me since I had become a single parent to a small child.

I do not judge people, I think if they are responsible in finding a good new home for their furbabies, perhaps they really are doing what is best for the animal.

[skygazer]

2. I've had to give up pets

I had to give up my beagle when the place I lived was sold and I had to move with little advance notice. I just couldn't find a place where I could keep her. She ended up in a nice home but it was terribly hard and I still feel guilty about it to a certain extent.

I don't judge - things happen in life and we have to make choices. No one can make anyone else's.

[NewJeffCT]

3. When my ex-wife moved out, I gave up the dog

The dog was originally hers, but I did 90% of the work taking caring of him, so the dog and I got pretty attached over the year.

However, with my ex moving out and me working a ton of hours, it was not fair to the dog that I wouldn't be home for 12-14 hours a day. And, my ex-wife wasn't reliable enough to come over mid-day every day to take the dog out for a walk.

(She had moved into an apartment - so no dogs allowed there, so she gave him to her parents in NJ...)

[mike_c]

4. giving up any of my cats would be like losing family....

I don't judge others-- everyone is different and everyone's experiences are their own-- but I have made major concessions in my life to insure the safety and happiness of my pets-- it would devastate me to lose them, and I'd never give them up willingly. They're my friends and companions. I'm responsible for them. The ways that they occasionally inconvenience me are minor compared to the joy they give me.

[seemunkee]

5. Nearly gave up one of our dogs

He was driving me nuts, marking everywhere and not bothering to poop outside even when he had the opportunity. The house always smelled because of him. I hated going home because I knew what would be waiting for me. He has many other bad habits and was being a bad influence on our other dog. That was one of my biggest concerns when we got him He didn't have a good start in life when we got him and it pained me to think about letting him go. We actually contacted a rescue group but I just couldn't do it. We called a trainer who has come to our house to work with us, he's not perfect but he's here to stay.

[azmouse]

6. My husband developed an allergy to my cat.

My brother gave her a good home and treated her like a little princess.

[Deep13]

7. Yup, a small rabbit.

I was allergic to their hay. We had two and when one died, the other went to live with a woman we know how likes to take care of rabbits. We still paid for the feed etc.

[Bassic]

8. My wife had to give up her cat

because I'm extremely allergic.

[bigwillq]

9. No..I raised my pets well.

You're just a bad pet mother. :P

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. pet STEP mother

:P

[dropkickpa]

11. Dog 2 weeks ago, bit my kids face

Bye bye doggy!! I found out that the shelter was able to place her with an older gentleman. I was very happy about that. Dropkid was very upset that we got rid of her and I felt bad for that reason, but since she was able to find another home (one probably better suited to her) I feel no guilt.

Ex's cat. He got it "for me" as a bday present after I had told him in no uncertain terms that we were NOT getting a cat and that I was 1 allergic and 2 didn't want/like them (Think of the Simpsons episode when Homer bought Marge a bowling ball, he just wanted it for himself). A lovely little stray kitten infested with worms, fleas, etc that shat all over and ruined my brand new expensive$$$ comforter (the ex wouldn't claen up the messes). I paid for all vet care, took care of cat, and even kept her for another 1 1/2 years after kicking the ex out. Got her spayed and found her a home with a crazy cat-lady friend of mine. Didn't/don't feel the least bit bad about it.

[Arkansas Granny]

16. I remember your post about the dog. I'm glad they were able to

place her. You made the only decision possible.

[elocs]

12. I did get rid of a cat which chewed through power cords and shredded my leather recliner.

The vet said nothing was wrong with her teeth. I tried all of the usual remedies. She chewed through the power cord for a camcorder, an electric blanket, and chewed on the power cord to the space heater. Chewing on the power cord of a space heater that is plugged in is potentially fatal. This cat needed far more attention than I could give it, plus, she would bully the cat I already had.

There are reasons for most behavioral reasons if you can find them. My cat was having a problem with pooping outside of the litter box, but always urinating in it (thankfully). When I took her to the vet for her shots the vet found that her colon was very full. She was not emptying her colon and so when she had a bowel movement, it hurt. When litter box=pain, the cat would naturally choose to go elsewhere. I couldn't find a reason for the power cord chewing by the other cat, though.

[Left Is Write]

13. We had to give up our beloved cat Gunder.

When my now 7-year-old child was born, Gunder could never get used to her. He started peeing in his bed and on the carpet. He'd come into my office, get my attention, and deliberately poop on the floor or wall. He hissed at the baby. He was becoming increasingly unhappy (if it's possible for a cat to be depressed, I think that he was). When my daughter was about 7 months old, we learned we would be moving from Minnesota to Idaho. We were already considering re-homing Gunder because of his issues with the baby, and contemplating a cross-country move sealed the deal.

I had to call around several places to find a no-kill shelter that PROMISED that he would be fostered until a permanent home could be found for him.

I hope that he found a family and is living happily with them.

We got Dino about 18 months ago. I suppose it's no big surprise that he bears an uncanny resemblance to Gunder.

[Bridget Burke]

14. I've never had to give up a pet, but I can understand.

However, serious efforts should be made to find a new home--instead of sending the critter to a place where they will likely be euthanized.

Yesterday, the Houston Chronicle ran a piece on matching pets to owners. Sometimes, problems can be prevented in advance. www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/4738435.html

Here's a boxer who's been "returned" twice--filling out the paperwork to find a suitable home.

[Debi]

15. Got two cats as a wedding gift (Bruce and Scooter)

When Debi Jr. was born (and for nine months after) he kept having colds/respitory problems. Did allergy testing and found he was allergic to cats. :cry: bye-bye Bruce and Scooter.