Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I think it is too hard to rehome an animal

479 replies

SuperHans · 02/03/2011 22:20

I bought a puppy a few months ago and I really love him - he was the right choice for us. He cost £100.

He was vacc's and I will pay to have him castrated soon.

He has been such a success that I have been looking into getting him a companion. I would like to help a dog and rescue them but they want stupid amounts of money and loads of home vists.

I am just put off, and it is a shame because I could easily home another dog and give him a good life.

I think I will just buy another puppy I am afraid.

OP posts:
SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 02/03/2011 23:04

Absolutely Jooly - well said.

There is an MNer who at the moment has a very poorly dog. Quite a young dog (can't remember exact age Blush) who had an obstruction in her stomach. £2000 of vets bills - I'm pretty sure that the care her beuatifuly much loved dog has needed wasn't something that the PDSA would cover (specialist treatment). Thankfully the poster has insurance - that will cover the cost. But that insurance costs money each month.

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PeeringIntoTheWintryVoid · 02/03/2011 23:06

YABVVVU, for all the reasons given on this thread.

Margles · 02/03/2011 23:07

SugarPasteFrog - your link about the puppy farming makes sobering reading - I found it so upsetting I couldn't finish it. I didn't realise that this sort of thing went on. Anything which makes people aware of their responsibilities has to be a good thing.

I am just about to try rehoming a 'difficult' cat who has been in the cattery for six months - but we are at home during the day, and don't have small children, so we are prepared to make the effort.

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 02/03/2011 23:08

OP - do you have insurance for you current dog?

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SuperHans · 02/03/2011 23:11

Okeydoke - I am just saying that a dog could have a happy life with us as our own dog has. We love him to bits and he loves us.

He is so happy, we are broke but he never goes without and with Putney Animal Clinic he won't go without vet care.

Isn't that better than him not having it? We feed him pedigree chum and worm and flea him with Bob Martin. We bath him when he stinks.

I know there is a lot of rights and wrongs about this.

But aren't we his best home, we love him and look after him very well with 2 massive walks a day and cuddling all night.

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 02/03/2011 23:12

Thing is, even with insurance, you need to be prepared to pay out. Sadly, lots of insurance companies nowadays won't cover everything (eg prescription diets, vaccines, dentals) and then when the dogs get older many will expect you to pay a large excess AND 40-60% of costs Sad

And sugar- good point about the charities

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 02/03/2011 23:12

I know this has nothing to do with anything but it made me chuckle today Grin

We have a large PDSA hospital near us and the 'lampshades' they give the dogs are just plain white.

We also have an extremely expensive Vets round the corner too and I noticed a dog wearing a gold and purple 'lampshade' with the name of the Vets surgery emblazoned across it like a fashion statement.

It just made me chuckle cos I looked at the dog and the way he was mincing down the road and thought, What a snob! Blush

TheArmadillo · 02/03/2011 23:13

you really aren't listening are you op

people have outlined the many reasons as to why it is not a good idea to take on a dog you can't afford.

Original poster
SuperHans · 02/03/2011 23:14

I didn't pay the £100 for the puppy - my ex-DH bought him for our son.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 02/03/2011 23:14

The rescue I help out at, yes, Jooly, but me personally, no.

Hence the kitten I rescued and will soon be looking for a forever home for will have cost me personally about £200 for spay, vaccs, Drontal, Frontline, meds, food etc by the time she's up for adoption and I'll recover about £65 of that in adoption fee.

Such is life!

Hans, you said:

"TheArmadillo - the animals are already there - why not let them be in a home where they are loved?"

Answer - because we have a no-kill policy. Do you?

Because the rescue I help out at has an arrangement by which it can pay the vets bill off month by month... have you?

Because I have contacts in rescue nationwide and if the shit really, really hit the fan with one of my foster cases I could appeal for help with funds... can you?

Because my dogs are insured on a premium policy whereby there is no cut off date for treatment... would yours be?

Our other Rott at the rescue collapsed last year and was paraplegic for weeks, months even. Specialist vets at the Animal Health Trust took him on and the bill came to about 7K. Can you pay that?

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fifi25 · 02/03/2011 23:18

Both my dogs were free as pups. One was from someone who my partner used to work for an his bitch got caught off its own son. It had 4 puppies, we took one. My youngest is from some idiot down the street who let his bitch out in heat and she ended up getting pregnant by some other dog whos idiot owner lets it run around the estate all day. They are both fantastic dogs and if i didnt have them god knows where they would be now. Two of my youngests sisters have apperently ended up in the rehoming centre as no one wanted them. I insure mine through Tesco. Its £9.98 each for up to £2500 worth of cover and £60 excess. I got them both chipped through a scheme in my area for a small donation and they have had vacs.

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 02/03/2011 23:19

Sadly, cuddles and walks are all well and good when your dog is healthy. But they won't help if he/she develops arthritis/ epilepsy/ skin problems/ orthopaedic problems...the list goes on.

Don't get me wrong- vets (mostly!) are not in it just to make money, but we need to at least cover costs, and all the new investigative procedures and drugs are expensive, even to us. I hate when people try to make me feel guilty because they can't afford treatment for a dog that they took on through their choice. Even though I know it's not my fault they make it feel like it is Sad

Vallhala · 02/03/2011 23:19

Tell me, seriously Hans, what's the problem with a homecheck? I've told you WHY it's necessary... why do you think it shouldn't be?

Margles · 02/03/2011 23:20

SuperHans - please just concentrate on looking after the dog you have. I don't know how old he is but I see that you say you will 'pay to have him castrated soon'. Please get that done.

SugarPasteFrog · 02/03/2011 23:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SuperHans · 02/03/2011 23:20

valhalla - I love my dog - I do have a no kill policy with regard to him.

Hans - don't you want them to be loved - my dog is very happy.

No I don't have the funds right now - but I know how to get them for my dog.

Dont really understand the question about the premium policy - was looking into pet insurance.

Is he better being adored with me or in a kennel?

OP posts:
worraliberty · 02/03/2011 23:23

He's better in a kennel being adored by the staff until someone who can afford him, takes him home and adores him.

BaroqueAroundTheClock · 02/03/2011 23:23

oh absolutely Jooly - irrc my excess if £75. And I went with the most "all encompassing" cover for life insurance I could find.......but I will still have costs to pay.