Returning a pet to a shelter is a responsible way to acknowledge that you cannot make that commitment.
I would much rather the animal go back to a shelter to get rehomed to their furever home than either stuck with a bad match household or worse on the streets.
I totally agree that adopting is a big responsibility. Still, personalities don’t always fully come out in the shelter. We adopted a 15 year old to give him a golden basket. We were told he’s calm while withdrawn, while still at ease around other cats. What we got was a 15 year old acting like 2 year old. Absolutely races through the house and wants to play a lot with the other cats to the point they get annoyed, and is constantly and aggressively trying to steal from our plates. Frequently gets the zoomies at four in the morning which can result in facelicking. Still love him ofcourse, but I can imagine it’s harder to deal with if you’re in your 70’s and expected a cat that at least doesn’t try to use your legs as tree trunks on the way to food. Trying to find a family that matches the kitty’s personality doesn’t mean you’re a bad person imo. Throwing them on the street is evil of course.
Only reason I don’t have a pet right now is I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and spend 12 hours or more away a day so once you figure sleep time I would have at most 4-6 hours to spend with the pet. That’s just cruel in my opinion, as much as I’d love a fur companion right now.
Animals are not toys. “Older” or not, adopting and owning a pet is a commitment. Animals are innocent. Humans are not.
Returning a pet to a shelter is a responsible way to acknowledge that you cannot make that commitment.
I would much rather the animal go back to a shelter to get rehomed to their furever home than either stuck with a bad match household or worse on the streets.
I totally agree that adopting is a big responsibility. Still, personalities don’t always fully come out in the shelter. We adopted a 15 year old to give him a golden basket. We were told he’s calm while withdrawn, while still at ease around other cats. What we got was a 15 year old acting like 2 year old. Absolutely races through the house and wants to play a lot with the other cats to the point they get annoyed, and is constantly and aggressively trying to steal from our plates. Frequently gets the zoomies at four in the morning which can result in facelicking. Still love him ofcourse, but I can imagine it’s harder to deal with if you’re in your 70’s and expected a cat that at least doesn’t try to use your legs as tree trunks on the way to food. Trying to find a family that matches the kitty’s personality doesn’t mean you’re a bad person imo. Throwing them on the street is evil of course.
deleted by creator
Only reason I don’t have a pet right now is I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and spend 12 hours or more away a day so once you figure sleep time I would have at most 4-6 hours to spend with the pet. That’s just cruel in my opinion, as much as I’d love a fur companion right now.