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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Animals being bought and discarded like toys. WTF!

174 replies

Sibsmum · 30/12/2020 12:54

I have just been reading about chickens , bought as pets in lockdown being dumped , literally in parks and tips , because they're no longer novel, no longer laying and bird flu concerns.
I can't abide people considering animals as things, they are live creatures and taking them on is a lifetime committment, not a quick human happy fix.
I would like every household that wants to keep a live animal, have to apply for a license and do a basic online care course to prove their commitment prior to purchase, and a formal registration afterwards which could be administered by a body like the RSPCA who end up dealing with so many unwanted pets.
It's really time we stopped seeing our fellow inhabitants of this planet as objects, and afforded them the respect, dignity and compassion that they deserve. They are live , sentient beings with feelings, not home decor , not accessories and not toys.
I would appreciate your sharing your thoughts.

OP posts:
Godimabitch · 30/12/2020 12:56

I agree. Humans have such a weird perception if animals. As if they exist purely for our benefit.

MsMarvellous · 30/12/2020 12:58

I agree. We want chickens and I will finally have proper space for some when we move in the new year. I got a book about caring for them as a Christmas gift which I've read and am now planning their house and safe pen area. I'm hoping to rescue some otherwise unwanted birds and give them a lovely dotage.

SantasBritchesSpelleas · 30/12/2020 13:00

I would like every household that wants to keep a live animal, have to apply for a license and do a basic online care course

Hear, hear. YANBU.

northstars · 30/12/2020 13:00

Totally agree.

Ifailed · 30/12/2020 13:04

I would like every household that wants to keep a live animal, have to apply for a license and do a basic online care course

Would you also like the same rules to apply when having a baby?

Notcontent · 30/12/2020 13:05

I completely agree! I have often thought this. This would not only protect animals but be of benefit to the community as a whole.

Justcallmebebes · 30/12/2020 13:05

Couldn't agree more

FrostedCranberries · 30/12/2020 13:05

Yes to a license. Even for dogs, hamsters and fish.

hopingforonlychild · 30/12/2020 13:07

@Ifailed People do get accidentally pregnant. How do you accidentally get a pet?

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 30/12/2020 13:08

Agree. Saw an obvious Christmas puppy yesterday - very young, being walked on extending lead by a young child who didn't have it under control at all. Dad trailing behind looking at his phone, completely oblivious Hmm

mumto2teenagers · 30/12/2020 13:11

I agree.

We bought a puppy during lockdown, we already had an older rescue dog and it was something we had been thinking about for a long time. We were shocked at how hard it was to find one due to demand. When we picked ours up the breeder said they received over 200 phone calls within 24 hours of advertising them, they seemed like good breeders and I was pleased at the amount of questions they asked us, but it was a litter of 9 so I often wonder whether Oscar's brothers and sisters are all still with the people that bought them or whether any have or will end up in a rescue.

PTW1234 · 30/12/2020 13:11

Agree, I live next door to someone with a lockdown puppy, it’s not working out well so far if the howling and crying is anything to go by months down the line.

I can sadly see it being rehomed, left to continue or a very expensive behaviour training bill

Original poster
Sibsmum · 30/12/2020 13:12

@Ifailed
Ideally people plan and prepare for bringing a baby human in to the world. There are courses and support for parents to be. Yes sometimes there are accidents leading to pregnancy, but still support and advice and guidance. Plus there's a 9 month build up , not a whim purchase. So it's a bit different.

OP posts:
Lockheart · 30/12/2020 13:14

I don't disagree with you, but I think you could apply an awful lot of your post to children as well!

HighHeelBoots · 30/12/2020 13:14

I would like the yabu voters to put their points across. I can't imagine how anyone could think yabu
There should be a December ban on pet sales

Mypathtriedtokillme · 30/12/2020 13:15

I think people think hens are cute and fluffy but realistically they are garden destroying, stinky shitting machines on legs who actually take a fair bit of work to care for correctly. (We have 4 backyard hens and have had chooks for years)
They haven’t taken the time past the Romance if backyard eggs to think it actually through.
Plus most people don’t seem to know the stop laying and moult in winter (why you’d want to be half nude at the coldest time if year is an evolutionary oddity)

Original poster
Sibsmum · 30/12/2020 13:16

@MsMarvellous - brilliant. I am sure you will be a great new landlord for the chucks.
@Godimabitch- same attitude as to the whole planet sadly.Hmm

OP posts:
HoboSexualOnslow · 30/12/2020 13:16

@Ifailed

I would like every household that wants to keep a live animal, have to apply for a license and do a basic online care course

Would you also like the same rules to apply when having a baby?

Yes.
Ifailed · 30/12/2020 13:16

@Sibsmum, so you think potential pet-owners have to apply for a license and go on a course, but not potential parents?

Snapcat · 30/12/2020 13:18

Completely agree. And I hate when small animals are bought ‘for’ children.

Original poster
Sibsmum · 30/12/2020 13:20

@Mypathtriedtokillme- but you didn't dump them, you stuck with it and do the right thing. I
@Lockheart- absolutely - but another thread I think.....

OP posts:
ChazP · 30/12/2020 13:21

Totally agree.
I’m desperate for a dog and at the moment, with us both working from home every day, it feels like we could manage one. But this time next year we could be back to being out working every day, so we can’t take the risk of getting one. People seem to forget just how many years pets live for. If you’re not in it for the long-haul, don’t put a living thing through the trauma of you owning it and giving up on it.

magicstar1 · 30/12/2020 13:23

My local rescues put a ban on adoptions for the month of December. They’re dreading the next couple of months as they’re expecting to be inundated with unwanted dogs.

Lisibeth81 · 30/12/2020 13:24

Agree with every word.
I've been in a horrendously abusive situation,moved house twice, changed jobs twice and still kept my (rescued) dog.

Frivolous animal purchasing and the inevitable outcome makes my blood boil.

ChazP · 30/12/2020 13:25

@Snapcat

Completely agree. And I hate when small animals are bought ‘for’ children.
We bought guinea pigs “for” my daughter’s birthday a couple of years ago, but it was after a lot of discussion between my partner and I, (particularly because he wasn’t convinced). I was very clear that ultimately I was responsible for them. As she’s got older (she’s 12 now), she’s become much better at feeding and caring for them, but I still do a daily check of hay and pellets and help her clean them out. It’s too much responsibility for a child to have without monitoring.
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