Euthanize or dump?

[14+kitties]

So a recent thread and an article I ran across while googling a while ago has got me thinking.....
If you have to give up your dog/cat for any reason (or you just want to dump it) do you feel it better to take dog/cat to a shelter or to the vet to have it humanely euthanized?
Just curious as to people's reactions.
In my situation I am praying I am around long enough to see each of mine live a long and happy life. But the powers that be sometimes have different ideas. I can't imagine ever having to give any of them up.

[Melinda]

it would depend on the animal I suppose, an elderly pet say at the end of its life that is on expensive meds, I'd have humanely put down. a young animal I'd probably call a rescue I work with. But if you also mean if something happened to hubs and I and the dog was left without us, its in our will where Brina and Timothy will live and a certain amount of money is left for their care

[chico2]

14+,that's a very difficult question
If I was an animal,I probably would say,ok dump me you jerk,I'll take my chances,I want to live
I would think,anyone heartless enough to dump an animal,or leave him behind when they move,have absolutely no feelings for that animal,just don't care,I doubt they would spend the money to have him killed.
I don't want any healthy animal to be killed,but I know I am living in La-La-Land

[aslan]

only once have i ever had to leave an animal behind..We had two large breed dogs and when my ex and I split I left my old boy with my ex so as to not disrupt his life in his old age any more than was neccessary. He died at the ripe old age of 19 at home with his kitty and pupper siblings at his side. Today I would do the same thing again. I would do my best to make sure that my friend had the best home possible or change my plans to move.

[Rgeurts]

Such a tough question. I thikn it really depends on the situation/animal. For example, our oldest dog Thorin. He is the sweetest dog I've ever owned. He wouldn't harm a hair on our heads and when hubby is away on business, he sleeps in hubbys spot. He's my giant stuffy. However, when it comes to anyone else, he isn't the nicest dog. We went about it wrong and didn't socialize him at all. We can't even board him as he won't eat or drink while we're gone (tried once and he almost died). I think he would have to be put down.

[14+kitties]

I think what I'm getting at is that how many people would dump in a shelter if they knew the cat/dogs' chances of being adopted was very very small. The older the pet the less the chance? Dogs already have a much better chance at being adopted than cats (according to the stats from our local shelter) but that still isn't good. It is truly beyond my comprehension how anyone can take a pet they have looked after (and supposedly loved) to a shelter and not look back.
As Melinda said - finding a rescue would be a much better answer but - coming from BenMax and my personal knowledge - rescues are filled to overflowing. I know personally with 36 kitties the most I could handle is maybe four more. Maybe..... Even at that the introductions would have to be over a long period of time. If I had a larger area that I could use (hubby would shoot me) and financial help I could take more. C'mon big lottery win!!!
But it kills me to think of the number of animals that are turned in at shelters or, worse, dumped in the country to become someone else's problem or coyote bait. It kills me I can't do more.

[Rgeurts]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

I know personally with 36 kitties the most I could handle is maybe four more. It kills me I can't do more.

Unfortunately, you can't save them all. You should be very proud, and the rest of us very thankful for what you have already done. 36 kitties is a HUGE responsibility. You're an

[Floppy Dog]

I've lived with pets all my life. Had dogs when I was a kid, cats as an adult and now that my daughter is old enough to understand and share the responsiblity, have both a dog and cat.

In the first place, I couldn't imagine going somewhere without my pets. But, let's say I moved somewhere where they had to quarantine my pets and they weren't likely to survive the process (I'm thinking the 6-month quarantine for the UK here) or some country which doesn't approve of pets (eg. Iran). I would call in every favour every one of my friends owed me to find them a good home. And, I'd keep in touch with the new owners to make sure that my pets were well looked after, loved and cared for. If that didn't work, I'd have to go for euthanization, even though it would break my heart and I would be a basket case for weeks afterwards.

The way I look at it, my pets are a lifetime responsiblity. If I can no longer ensure their safety, health and general well being then the only thing I can do as a responsible pet owner is take them to the vet, and hold them while they get their shot and have my face be the last thing they see and my arms be the last thing they feel. There's no way I could live with myself if I thought my pets would ever experience a moment of anxiety or stress because their humans have left them in a shelter or rescue centre on the chance that they would be adopted.

And that is not to reflect badly on all of you who work at shelters and rescue centres and who advocate for pets. I have so much respect for your dedication and courage because you are all doing a job that I cannot do. I couldn't deal with the heartbreak of knowing there are more animals out there in need of help then there are resources available to help them.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel pets are a very personal responsiblity. If I ever have to euthanize a healthy pet because I can no longer take care of it, I will deal with the emotional fall out and the self-inflicted guilt trip. My pets will not have to face the consequences of my cowardliness.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Floppy Dog

And that is not to reflect badly on all of you who work at shelters and rescue centres and who advocate for pets. I have so much respect for your dedication and courage because you are all doing a job that I cannot do. I couldn't deal with the heartbreak of knowing there are more animals out there in need of help then there are resources available to help them.

Well put Floppy Dog. Obviously something you have thought of often.
Just to set your mind at rest - The rescues I know do not euthanize unless it is a case of uncurable illness, aggression, or old age. The folks who foster for the rescues do so with the knowledge that there may never be a home for the pet(s) they are fostering. My kitties are just that. My kitties. They are going no where unless I can find the absolute perfect home for them. Many will not be going anywhere anyways as they are semiferals and run from strangers.

[Frenchy]

I would hope if something happens to me , members from pets.ca would adopt my pets.

if I'm still alive , and can't keep them for whatever reason , I would place them in rescues that I know , and would ask to be included in the decision / choosing their future families. I would need to be 100% sure they would be well treated.

just thinking about it ... ouch , that would kill me. mostly with Nelly and Sienna , I don't know how they would do in another home. And Jack too actually ... he's not always clean in the house , I would be afraid that his new family wouldn't be patient with him.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

I would hope if something happens to me , members from pets.ca would adopt my pets.

if I'm still alive , and can't keep them for whatever reason , I would place them in rescues that I know , and would ask to be included in the decision / choosing their future families. I would need to be 100% sure they would be well treated.

just thinking about it ... ouch , that would kill me. mostly with Nelly and Sienna , I don't know how they would do in another home. And Jack too actually ... he's not always clean in the house , I would be afraid that his new family wouldn't be patient with him.

You know we would.
Dibs on the kitties. (waving) And Jack too! I've been cleaning dog pee for the last year anyway with Keesha.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

You know we would.
Dibs on the kitties. (waving)

I was hoping you'd say that

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

just thinking about it ... ouch , that would kill me. mostly with Nelly and Sienna , I don't know how they would do in another home.

You know I was thinking ... this was a selfish thought on my part. Yes Sienna and Nelly are still afraid of certain noises , or when company arrive , but they do warm up to people quickly. Nelly will cuddle with my friends on the couch when we are watching movies , without invitation so I know they would get use to "their new families".

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

If you have to give up your dog/cat for any reason (or you just want to dump it) do you feel it better to take dog/cat to a shelter or to the vet to have it humanely euthanized?

I think we're slightly going off topic here ... correct me if I'm wrong 14+ but , your question is kinda of an ultimatum ? Not asking if we have plans for our pets when we die but , let's say we have no other choices but between shelter or euthanasia .... am I right ? That is why I replied shelter , of course I would prefer rescue but , if I have to choose between the 2 you mentioned , it would be a non kill shelter.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by BenMax

That goes for all my friends here at Pets. This promise I can keep.

Mmm, now am I considered one of your friends? 'Cause if something happened to me that's a heck of a lot of kitties to find homes for!!

Originally Posted by Frenchy

I think we're slightly going off topic here ... correct me if I'm wrong 14+ but , your question is kinda of an ultimatum ? Not asking if we have plans for our pets when we die but , let's say we have no other choices but between shelter or euthanasia .... am I right ? That is why I replied shelter , of course I would prefer rescue but , if I have to choose between the 2 you mentioned , it would be a non kill shelter.

Exactly Frenchy. If we were to dump them for one reason or another. Not necessarily death. Let's say if George decided he didn't have the time to watch "Spot" any more. Spot is fine. A healthy dog. Just basically unwanted by George. So in that case........ what would you do?
The way the thread is going is fine. It's refreshing to know people have plans. But what about the original scenerio?

[.unknown.]

Do you guys think it would be beneficial for everyone to start a network of people willing to be foster parents/forever parents to others within the network? We could start a database and have people from each area meet each other and their pets and those without family to give their pets to, could talk about afterlife care?

I think that's a great idea.... not only to meet other pet lovers but also have that peace of mind.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by .unknown.

Do you guys think it would be beneficial for everyone to start a network of people willing to be foster parents/forever parents to others within the network?

It's a great idea , I already have my person ... although she won't be able to foster them , she will be in charge of placing them into new homes , and that's LuckyPenny's.

[mastifflover]

My dad had Bailey in his will he had a trust fund for her and I was in charge of finding her a good home I could not keep her. My dog at the time and her were like oil and water just a wrong look and war. The trust fund was for anything the dog needed. She went to live on a farm and she loved it and they would submit the bills to me and I would write them a check or for big vet bills we arranged it that just a call or in an emergency just get her help and I would pay whatever the bill was. Like I would ever say no. She lived a nice long life and was happy. That would have made dad very happy.

[doggy lover]

I have Tucker in my will to be taken care of by my children. But he loves all adults and i think he would survive in another house as long as there are no small children. My last dog Travis I think I would have had to put him to sleep as he would pine himself to death without hubby and I.. I got my friend to babysit him once in our house for a week and he lost 10lbs its hard to say I guess you would have to see how things went.