Were going thru some rough times right now, hubby has been out of work for 5 months, were about to move into a small rental, no animals allowed. I am sick from worrying about my beloved pets. We have 2 dogs we need to find homes for (10 year old shepard mix & a 4 year old rat terrier mix). Does anyone know where to bring them. I have posted an add on petfinder.com a few weeks ago & havent found homes for them . I don't want to bring them to the pound, because I'm afraid they might get put to sleep. I live in central florida, any ideas???

My mom works for a major corporation in Jacksonville florida, she can post free to good home within the company email.....and you can see what happens from there. Pm me or email me at mrk11118@clearwire.net

I am so sorry you are going through this!!!!

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

How about posters at the grocery store? You could make up some cute ones with pictures. Or, you could list them on freecycle if you local groups allow pets. Just be sure to screen the new owners well before you give up your pets. HTH

If there is any chance you can find an apt or house that will allow you to take pets I beg of you to please try as hard as you can.

I may be extreme but I lived in my car on and off for two years because I was having problems finding a place that would allow pets that I could afford. I am not suggesting your family live in a car but if you could not find a place that would allow children in your income bracket you would not give your kids away.

I want to make it perfectly clear I am not yelling at you or mad at you. Words on paper lose a lot in the translation. I just urge people before they take a pet any animal to consider what would they do in a case like this. When you take a pet you are in essence taking on a child for that pet's life.

If there is anyone out there considering a pet please don't do it if there is a chance you might be in a position like this.

The best suggestions are to just use word of mouth, the internet and posters to publicize and to thouroughly investigate all people who offert to take the pets. Many time pet brokers take free pets and sell them by the truckload to labs. There are also those who get free pets to abuse them.

I know people will not like what I have said and I apologize in advance if this offends anyone. I consider my pets part of the family. If I would not treat a human member of my family in a certain way I would not treat my pets that way either.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

First I don't want this to come off the wrong way and I don't want to make anybody mad but here is how I feel on this

When you buy an animal you are making a lifetime committment. Just like a kid you have to commit to shots, food, water, shelter, love and etc. How can you say I have to move and can't take my dogs. Could you move and not take your kids? Those poor dogs are loyal to you, you are their master, their hero and while I know this is hard on you think of what they will go through. You are turning their lives upside down and giving up on them. If you absolutely must get rid of the furkids then I suggest you look into a rescue in your area. I would be more than happy to help you research this if you would like. Please don't take them to a shelter. Over 95% of the animals in shelters are being put to sleep because nobody wants them. Please I am begging you not to take them to the shelter. Even humane societys who are "no-kill" are still euthanizing animals because of the disease and uncleanliness of the facilities. Think of your dog going through this. Please read the following all the way

How Could You?



A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan took out a full page ad in the paper to present the following essay to the people of our community. It really touched my heart and i hope it will tours too.


When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, age I became your best friend. Whenever I was"bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"-but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams,and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforte you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person"-still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch-because your touch was now so infrequent-and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.

These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her."

They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home.

They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you- that you had changed your mind-that this was all a bad dream ... or Ihoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room.

She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her.

The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself-a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

By Jim Willis 2001

A note from the author:


If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.

Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage adoption.



Please rethink getting rid of your dog.

Can you find a no kill shelter?

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

I don't have any advice. I hope you can find a good solution soon. Have you checked to see if there is an adopt-a-pet organization in your area? That's where we've gotten the cats we've had through the years. They really interviewed us to death the first time or two, and refused to give us a dog one time because they said the dog we were calling about hated men, and unless I was willing to separate from my husband, the answer was no! lol Um... no.

I did want to say that I love my pets, but they are NOT people and should not be equated with people. I do believe it's a terribly extreme thing to view them as "the same." Please don't let anyone guilt you into thinking you are bad or wrong for looking for an alternative for them at this point. You've got enough to worry about and I don't think it's fair to make you feel badly for a decision you've obviously agonized over.

If I had to euthanize my children or my pets.... what a ridiculous thing to even suggest it's an even trade. I'm really shaking my head here at the very notion that a pet cannot adapt to a new family. Most every pet we've ever had came to us from another home as adults, and I must say they've seemed extremely pleased to be here once they got to know us.

I guess maybe they were actually pining away for their old owners when they would jump up on our bed for the night, huh?

I completely agree. I don't see how anyone could equate a pet to a child. They are not equal in any sense of the word. If I had to choose my kids or my cat, the cat would lose, hands down, no question.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

A living being is a living being. Saying that people are worth more than animals is a way to justify all the horrible things done to them. Like it or not they are more like us than other animals. Dogs and cats were bred to be human companions and they have similar emotions and feelings to humans.
Do you think God would think it's okay to treat an animal horribly because it's "just an animal"?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I agree that I would never go somewhere that I could not take my animals. I made a commitment to them the day I brought them into my home.

That being said, I'm also in Central Florida. Have you contaced Pet Rescue by Judy? (petrescuebyjudy.com) I know that she finds foster homes for animals and does not kill them. You beloved pets will be killed if you take them to a shelter here.

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oupiglet...addicted to free stuff!

OP, I'm sorry that your family has fallen on hard times and I hope that everythign works out for you.
Good luck finding a home for the dogs, but please take care of yourselves, too.

cj/

Genesis 1:27-28 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

I don't think finding a new family for an animal is "treating it horribly." Sometimes, unfortunately, it becomes necessary. Mankind is created in the image of God; animals are not. People first... animals somewhere down the line.

Genesis does go on to discuss wanton slaughter of animals, and states that anyone guilty of such will have to give an answer for such killings, IIRC, but that's not remotely what the OP is doing, and I think it's clear that she is doing everything in her power to do right by her pets. To make her feel worse by condemning her for trying to find a good new home is unkind and lacks perspective.

I think that dumping a animal on the side of the road to fend for itself is a cruel way to treat an animal. Not finding it a good and loving faily that can take care of it.

If you want to compare children to animals then what do you say when a young mother is overwhelmed and wants to still care for the child by putting the child up for adoption b/c she knows in her heart she just can't do it in that time in her life. You guys are taking a very hard turn on this women who has fallen on some unexpected times.

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

for your shepard-- what about giving him up to be a leader dog? We had to do that when we moved, and that was a GREAT option for us, because we knew he would be taken care of and would be doing a service to someone less fortunate!


For your Terrier, what about asking at local retirement communities or nursing homes? many of them will take small dogs because pets help liven up the elders--it gives them something to look forward to.

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SPJRNTGADL!

I know this is a horrible place to be in. Is there anyone that you know that could take the dogs in till you get another place? I was once in a bad place, and had to find friends to take in 3 different cats ( 3 different homes), until I got back on my feet and got them all back. I considered them "foster homes". Almost 5 years later, we are all doing great! Please look at all of your options, unfortunantly a shelter is almost a sure death sentence. Remember, you are thees dogs only hope, they can't make decisions for themselves or fend for themselves. Can't make someone adopt them. Just please exhaust all your options before taking them there.

Toontown - I hope you are able to turn things around soon. You do in life what you have to do to survive sometimes. Animals are in our lives to improve the quality of OUR lives. IMO. If the quality of your life will improve without them, then I find it amazing you are trying to find the best place for them now while all this other stuff is going on around you. I know you will make the best decision for your family. If your dogs are trained and behaved, I think the nursing home idea is an excellent one. Screw anyone who gets some sort of self-righteous feeling by making you feel like crap during this very difficult time in your life. Good luck!

I would try a google search for "no kill shelters in XXX" for your area. I understand what you mean about about wanting to find a good home for them. Pets are like family members....we hurt for them, we grieve for them, and we want the best for them. Not everyone feels that way, tho, therefore the varying opinions.

I don't think anyone should be laying a guilt trip on you. Now, only you know if you have exhausted all the possibilities.

As for equating a child to a pet??? yes and no. Yes as in, like I said earlier, some of us DO consider our pets family. Would I pick my child over my pet. You bet I would. How often do people have to get rid of a dog when a new baby comes into the picture??? Would I risk that animal being aggressive towards my child?? Absolutely NOT!!!

Take the advice given on this board with a grain of salt. Use what pertains to you. Make the best decision for YOU and MOVE ON.

I can definitely see both sides of the issue here.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

FYI: I went to Google and typed in "no kill animal shelters in central florida" and here is a small listing of what I got. The resources are out there, you just have to access them. Good Luck.


No-Kill Animal Shelter
www.SLAL.org Adopt From A No-Kill Animal Shelter Our Dogs & Cats Are Waiting For You North Shore Animal League
www.animal-league.org The world's largest no-kill pet rescue and adoption center.
FloridaPets.net - Pet-friendly info and resources for Florida ...

A private animal rescue located in Central Florida, serving mainly the Daytona .... A no-kill, non-profit animal shelter located on Eglin Air Force Base in ...
www.floridapets.net/rescues.html - 40k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
Pet, Dog, & Cat Adoptions-Florida Pets

Animal Shelter, The For pet and animal adoptions, come to The Best Little Humane Society in Central Florida. Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County The ...
shelters.theanimalnet.com/Floridapets.htm - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
Shelter Listings

Pet Orphans Fund - no-kill animal shelter which rescues homeless dogs and ... Central Shelter 5480 Gaines Street, San Diego, CA 92110-2887, 619.236.4250 ...
Pet Walk, pet directory and pet shelter listing - Homeshelters/ - 66k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
Florida Adopt a Pet / Adopt an animal

Cocker Spaniel/Small Dog Rescue of Central Florida Small group of volunteers who find ... Safe Animal Shelter no-kill animal shelter group in Orange Park. ...
www.floridasmart.com/sciencenature/animalspets/adopt.htm - 65k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
Humane Societies, animal shelters and pet adoption non-profit ...

(Miami): • Houndhaven, Inc. - Houndhaven, Inc. - no-kill canine animal shelter/rescue group (Central Florida). (Minneola): • Humane Society of Collier ...
Humane Societies, animal shelters and pet adoption non-profit organizations - 115k

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Well said... I hope that you are able to find someone in the area that will allow you to visit now and then... Someone with lots of acreage would be ideal.

Best of luck with all of the changes and challenges that you face -- that sounds hard. My thoughts are with you!

At one time in my life, I was about in the same boat. But I kept looking for a place to rent that allowed my dog.I finally found one that I could afford. Then I saved up enough for a down payment on a home so I would NEVER be in that place again. when I got the little guy, he was 2 weeks old and didnt have his eyes open. his mom got killed and I was just suppose to bottle feed him until he started eating on is own. I fell in love with him and there was no way I would ever give him back. He was my baby as I didnt have anyone else at the time. I can see very well how a pet came become family and that is the way they should be. Not tied to a tree somewhere out back or kept locked in a fenced lot. The main reason to get a pet is to play with it and care for it. I see way toooo many dogs fenced in a lot and left alone all day long with the only contact being someone stopping by to feed and water them. is is not what pets are for.

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Did you find a home for your dogs? My FIL had to do the same thing last year. He had two wonderful dogs, we couldn't take them because of my dh allergies. My FIL vet found them a new home, maybe you could ask your vet? You never know. Good luck with everything.