Animals being bought and discarded like toys. WTF!

[Sibsmum]

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.

A dog is for life, not just for covid.

I’ve been keeping fish for 30 years so knew what was involved, was only adding a few fish to established tank and I still ended up in a bit of a crisis. The reason I’ve decided not to sell any is I can’t trust anyone to look after them properly!

@Mypathtriedtokillme

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)

I laughed at the naked hens being a bit dim!

Hens originate from south east Asia I believe. Started spreading across world around 8000 years ago as they were domesticated. Evolution doesn’t work that fast especially when they are given nice warm houses to sleep in

I’m not a fan of hens, in-laws have kept them for years, they just roam about laying eggs everywhere. They really do seem quite daft.

I absolutely agree, but disagree with the poster who said pets shouldn’t be bought for children. We have a 5 year old puss cat who was very lonely and DD (who was heavily involved with caring for our puss cat) wanted a kitten for her birthday last year. Because she’d proven for years that she could be trusted to properly care for a cat without losing interest, I didn’t see any reason to deny her one. I obviously pay for food, vets, pet insurance etc but she does the day to day feeding, litter tray, brushing, plays with both of them for hours. Kitten made both DD and puss cat extremely happy and she’s not lost interest in either of them.

However I do think that a child must prove they’re responsible enough to care for an animal continuously for a long time before they are allowed the responsibility of one themselves. I doubt that if we’d not already had a cat that is a family pet that I’d have got her her own kitten

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 think it’s cruel keeping animals in cages. They are purely for humans entertainment, why not let them live a natural life outside, and in some cases their own countries where it’s warm?

@PerhapsOverlyWorried I think your approach to getting a kitten is lovely, rewarding all round.

I agree OP - it should be compulsory to have a licence, micro chip and insurance on most pets - I love my cats but they can be problematic - one wees on everything, one destroys carpets, they all (5) wake me up at 4am wanting to go out - but they are my responsibility - they are insured and have a vet plan etc - all are rescues - that last two where abandoned at around 6 months as they had health problems (one a broken leg and the youngest and infect wound on his back) - it's heartbreaking.

@Lisibeth81

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.

Frivolous insemination/pregnancy (and the inevitable price paid by unwanted children) makes my blood run cold.

My personal ire currently is directed at the person who had my son’s flat share before him. He left two indoor rabbits and no forwarding address. (In a first floor flat) My son is a big softy for animals so cares for them, but doesn’t really want them. What type of arse do you have to be? (He’s tried to rehome btw, but it always breaks down prob because if Covid.So if anyone wants two indoor buns with hutches in Manchester please dm me)
And I’ve seen at least three Christmas pups out today, far too small to be out in this freezing weather.

My biggest peeve are parents buying rabbits as pets for children. And usually one rabbit, not a pair.

I had two bonded girls (sadly passed away a few years ago) and while they were lovely and affectionate, everything was on their terms. Awful pets for young kids who are too rough and demanding with them. People also insist on keeping them in tiny hutches and not a big run with things like tunnels and hide holes. Annoys the life out of me.

@SantasBritchesSpelleas

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.

This, totally!!

I agree. I hate this.

People just don't think things through when they buy pets.

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

Considering how many people have babies without giving it a moment's thought when they probably should never be parents... yes.

@FrostedCranberries

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

A friend of mine has a poor goldfish in a filthy small tank, it breaks my heart each time I see it. Awful.

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

I know of cases where people have said "yes, I'll look after it for a week/month while you get yourself sorted" and have ended up with it permanently-and in all cases I've known, very much loved, but I'm sure that isn't always the case.

Ds found himself a rather surprised budgie owner last year. He adores them and would have more if his sisters and space allowed. But it was a very sudden ownership (due to ill health) not a long decision.

I do generally think licencing would be a good idea, however I suspect that bad pet owners would just not bother anyway.

We lost our old Labrador last January and still have a three year old lab. I miss having two dogs so much, am at home all day (retired) and youngest child is a teen. I could offer the perfect home to a puppy or rescue dog. It’s the cost that is prohibitive. Not just the initial purchase, good food etc. but insurance, vet bills and the rest! I would happily have half a dozen dogs if I could afford it.

@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?

That isn't practical but why not. Don't you think parents or animal owners should be armed with as much information as possible before hand?

One thousand percent yanbu! I work with dogs, including some rescue work. Already the lockdown puppies are starting to appear in our systems. Physical disaster areas, particularly the sort that too many people call 'fur babies'. And mental health disaster areas.

The original dog licence went wrong because it hadn't been increased in price to match the cost of administrating it, let alone enforcing it. It also never included any element of passing a test.

From an animal welfare POV, I find it appalling that anyone can go on a commercial website and sell and buy living things without the faintest idea about how to care for it including its MH needs. And from a responsible member of society POV I find it appalling that anyone can have an animal which is capable of maiming or even killing humans and other animals without any training in how to teach the dog in how to behave in public.

@DrManhattan

A dog is for life, not just for covid.

That is a campaign that should have been running since Easter

Lots of 4 to 7 month old puppies looking for new homes in my local area now. Bloody irresponsible morons.

@BluebellsGreenbells Syrian hamsters are rare in the wild and the European hamster is on the endangered list. human activity has encroached on their natural habitat. apparently all the UK hamsters are descended from lab hamsters.

They have used hamsters for vital Covid 19 research, so i guess why can't they be kept as pets. Rodent farms are a big problem though.

[quote hopingforonlychild]@Ifailed People do get accidentally pregnant. How do you accidentally get a pet?[/quote]
My cat was abandoned in a rental property I moved into, I didn’t particularly want a cat (shhh, don’t tell her), but as she was housed and being cared for by me she rightly wasn’t a priority for a pen in a rescue.

Two flat moves later and shes still here, I’m not sure how I’d get by without her judgemental glare if I dare disturb her ladyships peace.

I can’t argue with any of this.

The number of people I see out ‘walking’ puppies/young dogs who clearly don’t even know that dogs need to be taught to walk on a lead. And who use the lead to control the dog instead of it being a means of communication and the voice being the actual ‘control’ .

I don’t have time for a dog which is why I don’t have one. Someday.....

I have 2 cats who drive me mad. One wants attention all the time while I’m working, the other has destroyed the wallpaper and my favourite chair. I’ve tried every anti-scratch method going. Little shits! I love them

A tiny puppy was off the lead a few days ago and chased after me and my DH. We weren't running, just walking, he was friendly (and very cute) but he looked too little to be off the lead. He certainly would not return to the owner when shouted at.

In the same park we saw a little girl holding a blanket with a tiny little puppy in it. It looked very young. My DH said it looked too new to be out. It wouldn't surprise me if it hadn't had its injections.

I used to work for the RSPCA doing home care visits for people who wanted to adopt a dog, sometimes they would have umpteen pets all in bad condition but wanted another it blew my mind, a man who couldn’t walk with out crutches wanted a massive German Shepard pup who needed three walks a day, I don’t know what goes through people’s minds it’s awful. I think home visits for everybody who wants a pet would be a good idea but it’s not enforceable.