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.

[quote Poppins2016]@SpiderGwen thank you for answering my question. My lovely ladies are young and I'm in the South, so I guess that explains the high production.[/quote]
You’re welcome! It’s all a learning curve, and I hope you have many happy years of hen keeping. I’m 16 years into it and I love them.

They do trash parts of the garden pretty comprehensively but come when called, can be incredibly tame and love to play.

I agree, I've seen a lot of this with horses over the years. Thoroughbreds that retire from racing or don't make the grade are sold very cheaply, or given away free to people who've had a years worth of lessons at a local riding school and done a bit of stable management.
Ex racehorses are a specialised area in horse management. I've got 35 years experience, but I don't have the time, skill or funds to retrain one to a riding horse. They're completely different to the hardy, native quiet breeds riding schools normally have, and not just to ride, but to handle, feed etc.
And then there's those who can ride a bit and go and get a newly broken, green as grass 4 year old so they can 'learn together'. Really bad idea in most cases unless you've got unlimited access to someone who knows what they're doing on hand to deal with issues as they arise.

I've seen so many horses labelled as unmanageable when in fact they've been managed poorly, overfed, not allowed enough turn out, not exercised enough, and the people who own them then blame the horse. They often go from home to home through the sales, and end up on the meat wagon. So sad and so avoidable.

Totally agree. My relatives gone through a cat, rabbit and tropical fish and gave them all away when she realised she has to actually look after them. Infuriating. She has said she will never get another pet thank god.

Totally agree, I’d love a dog and chickens, I have several friends who have kept them for years, they care more about their bloody chickens than anything else 😆 But we don’t have pets because I know I will get frustrated cleaning up after them and I don’t feel our home is set up for them, so I would never do it because it wouldn’t be fair to the animals.

I hate seeing people who only get pets because they think it’s fashionable. My DB has done this time and time again and my DPs would always end up taking the poor pets in. My other DB is the opposite, his family use to have a neglected cat come to their home, they took care of it and would feed it but the owners would always demand it back. When DB moved he went out one night found the cat and brought it to its new house where it lived a very long happy life being spoilt rotten.

[quote letmethinkaboutitfornow]@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Thank you, I know it sounds awful. I always prepare for the worst case scenario 😔
My neighbour is also in love with her and offered to take her ☺️ in case I find her too much.
Should I have planned / prepared more? Absolutely. I did no research, it was love at the first sight. Now I am enjoying her company (she is sleeping at my feet), love how much love she shows when I get home...

Wrt rehoming, I like to have a plan B, but I hope we can learn to live with each other. 🥰
(Have you ever been watched sitting on the loo, then your PFB joining you and peeing on the bath mat??)- that’s my girl! 🥰🥰[/quote]
That's great! And yes, I have had almost that exact loo incident, although she did it on the landing in my parents' house, on their new carpet

I completely agree.
My nutcase of a doggo came to us at 9 months old, they were unsure whether we were his 4th or 5th time he had been rehomed.
Assuming that he was with his breeder for the first 8 weeks that gave him 7 months in 4 homes.
I wish that he had not had so many owners who had taken him on without considering what he really needed.
By the time he came to us he was an absolute wreck with a lot of issues. The dog couldn't walk on a lead. He wasn't properly house trained, he wrecked our home. It took a good 18 months of trying with him before he calmed. He's still a right pain in the backside at times, but its people who have made him that way.

I'd love for people to have to take tests and truly understand what effect their neglect or abandonment will have on the animals they get.
It would probably make prosecution of people who knowingly abuse animals easier too which is a win win!

@Boxofsaltsachets

I agree, I've seen a lot of this with horses over the years. Thoroughbreds that retire from racing or don't make the grade are sold very cheaply, or given away free to people who've had a years worth of lessons at a local riding school and done a bit of stable management. Ex racehorses are a specialised area in horse management. I've got 35 years experience, but I don't have the time, skill or funds to retrain one to a riding horse. They're completely different to the hardy, native quiet breeds riding schools normally have, and not just to ride, but to handle, feed etc. And then there's those who can ride a bit and go and get a newly broken, green as grass 4 year old so they can 'learn together'. Really bad idea in most cases unless you've got unlimited access to someone who knows what they're doing on hand to deal with issues as they arise.

I've seen so many horses labelled as unmanageable when in fact they've been managed poorly, overfed, not allowed enough turn out, not exercised enough, and the people who own them then blame the horse. They often go from home to home through the sales, and end up on the meat wagon. So sad and so avoidable.

Not to mention the 'my horse was doped when I bought him' brigade.

Unlikely. I'm sure it happens occasionally but much more likely is that the horse's behaviour changed when his routine, workload, diet and the competence with which he was handled suddenly changed overnight...

I do a bit of breaking, bringing on and re-selling (keeping each horse for at least a year so that by the time I sell them I know them inside out and can advertise them with total honesty) and it's been educational in so many ways.

I'll never forget the woman who contacted me three years in a row about three different horses for sale, with incredibly specific requirements and a lot of chat about what kind of a wonderful home she was offering. I sussed out quite quickly that when I was selling a £1500 horse she liked the price but wanted it to look and behave like a 3k horse, and when I was selling a 3k horse she liked the way it looked and behaved but wanted it to cost £1500. I've got all her numbers saved in my phone so that I can fob her off if she ever contacts me again. Anyway I bumped into her in a shop once (sadly she lives locally) and she tried to get me to go into business with her doing some buying and selling: 'You're young and brave! I just can't afford to fall off you see... But I could front the money and then we can share the profits.' I told a white lie and said I was getting out the buy-sell game. 'Why?' she said.
'Oh, you sell somebody a horse, and 3 months later they've ruined it and blame you. I just can't be bothered any more.'
And she was genuinely SHOCKED to learn that a horse can have a total personality transplant in such a short space of time.
The reality is I'd rather chew my own foot off than go into business with this idiot who made it quite clear that she wanted something for nothing and was unprepared and unable to put in any of the work... She still wouldn't drop it so I then pointed out that I am more than capable of fronting the money myself, doing all the work, and keeping all the profit...

@Inpersuitofhappiness

I completely agree. My nutcase of a doggo came to us at 9 months old, they were unsure whether we were his 4th or 5th time he had been rehomed. Assuming that he was with his breeder for the first 8 weeks that gave him 7 months in 4 homes. I wish that he had not had so many owners who had taken him on without considering what he really needed. By the time he came to us he was an absolute wreck with a lot of issues. The dog couldn't walk on a lead. He wasn't properly house trained, he wrecked our home. It took a good 18 months of trying with him before he calmed. He's still a right pain in the backside at times, but its people who have made him that way.

I'd love for people to have to take tests and truly understand what effect their neglect or abandonment will have on the animals they get.
It would probably make prosecution of people who knowingly abuse animals easier too which is a win win!

We have 2 dogs, one of which is a rescue. We got him at 7 months and the person who had got him at 9 weeks had kept him in a barn, just giving food and water when he felt like it.

He, obviously, had no socialisation at all. Never seen anything - trees, grass, birds, cats, other dogs apart from his siblings, vehicles. He was terrified of everything and everyone. Not being used to being fed regularly or having access to water he would try and gulp food down and then just bring it back up. He would also drink and then just pee all over the carpet. He had no idea of how to live in a house.

We were never meant to keep him. We were meant to be fostering. We already had a dog (same breed and fairly large). We just did not want 2 dogs.

We had him a couple of days and he went off to his supposed new home which had been arranged before he came to us (they could not take him straight away). They knew that he had never lived in a house, not been outside, not socialised etc. They had experience of the breed. They kept him for 3 days then said they could not cope with him. Back he came to us. About a week later he went off to his next supposed home. Again they knew all his history, had experience of the breed and we had told them he was not fully housetrained, scared of everything etc. They had him 2 days then said they did not want him.

Back he came. A couple of weeks later he went off again. They had him ONE day not even overnight!

All the rehoming had been done by the breed rescue, all homes vetted and all the supposed new owners told all about him. We even spoke to the last couple and, honestly, we could not have made the poor boy sound any worse and yet they said they were not worried, he would be fine etc.

We kept him because it broke my heart each time he came back to us and I could not bear that such a young dog, through no fault of his, did not have the happy loving home he was entitled to.

He is 8 now and is still a pain. Still terrified of most things, will destroy anything if you leave it laying around but he is so loving to me and DH.

In my view none of the people who had him should have a dog (I know 2 of the couples got other dogs). They didn't even try to persevere with him

Thank you all for your time in reading and replying. So many stories from such caring people has made me feel better about human nature, but more resolute than ever to lobby for stricter controls on animal ownership.
Actually, the whole ownership thing itself is a tad problematical for me, maybe protector/ inter-species living facilitator - too much? ( certainly my cats consider me to be their staff/ chef/ cleaner/ maid of all work) Anyway from myself and my mistresses, thank you.

I would love a pet but due to working all day and kids at school the poor animal would go demented with loneliness and boredom.

I’m one of these parents who bought their kids a “ lockdown puppy “ we bought him in April and he came home in may.
He won’t be going anywhere, he is loved and looked after and the reason I did it then was purely the fact that the I have thought about it for years and seen as we knew we would be in the house for months it made sense to do it then so I had all the time in the world to make it feel secure and training well.
He is so content now and absolutely thriving.

@letmethinkaboutitfornow

I got the most beautiful young lady. I was struggling with lockdown 2.0 😔 She is a lockdown puppy. She turned my OCD driven life upside down.

I freak out every day that I am not good enough for her and there are other people who could do more for her. But she is the most amazing thing that happened to me. Love her morning greetings (yep, usually after she peed and pooped so where so I need to find it) 🤩

But I don’t know what will happen in a month, or two time. Judge me if you want. She was an impulse buying, never had a pet, had no clue what to do... but she was my last resort to save my life 😔

And she has done an incredible job. She is beautiful and so dependent on me. Now that freaks me out to no end! 😱
I am sure there are people out there like me, I hope I never have to give up this beauty! But sometimes that might be in the pet’s best interest... 😔

Firstly, reassure yourself that LOTS of people find puppyhood difficult.

Secondly, remind yourself of what she has brought to your life each day.

It’s not easy - but the general tone from your post is that she’s been a positive. If possible, try to look at it that you will both support each other through good and shit times. That, essentially, is what a companion is for, whether they are furry or not. Not always going to have plain sailing days, but they’re not also stormy days.

This will sound harsh, but you made a decision to bring a sentient being into your life to help YOU. At the end of the day, it’s not their “job” to do that.

It’s fantastic that she’s helped you, just please give her a chance to have that reciprocated.

I am hoping that leaving the EU will mean that the vans of hundreds of 'rescue' dogs that are being brought in from Europe will stop.
All those rehoming these supposed strays should be putting their money into reducing the number of dogs with miserable lives by providing spaying, rather than spending on rehoming.

Actually, the whole ownership thing itself is a tad problematical for me, maybe protector/ inter-species living facilitator - too much? ( certainly my cats consider me to be their staff/ chef/ cleaner/ maid of all work)

Inter-species living facilitator is an excellent term. I believe my cats would use the same label...

@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?

The way some people treat their kids, that might not be a bad idea.

I agree with every word you’ve said.

I agree. A colleague has bought an irish wolfhound puppy. She has openly said that when it gets too big [um... it's a wolfhound...] they will rehome.

Our local pet shop sells exotic pets like chinchillas and degus. When we went to the RSPCA to get our latest cat- what do they have an excess of that has been dumped? Chinchillas and Degus.

I agree. A colleague has bought an irish wolfhound puppy. She has openly said that when it gets too big [um... it's a wolfhound...] they will rehome.

My jaw nearly hit the floor reading this. I can't believe someone can say this without feeling ashamed of themselves.

...my DH would love an Irish wolfhound but I've said no (at least not for now/in this house) based on the size... I find our cats get under our feet enough as it is! And in any case, I'd personally much prefer a rescue dog than to finance a breeder.

I'm sorry but you are being unreasonable. The majority of chickens in this country live short miserable lives. Why should it be illegal for people to treat them the same way? If you believe that chickens have emotions and can feel pain and fear then why are you up in arms about a handful of ex pet chickens and not the billions in the food industry suffering right now? Out of sight out of mind I guess?

I know Poppins.

It has made me view her very very differently.

I had to google irish wolfhounds after she got one as I could not place them. I have already made overtures to dog loving DH for when the inevitable happens..... (But we live in a mid-terrace with small garden and it would not be right)

We bought a puppy this year. We had wanted a dog for ages but working arrangements meant it wouldn't have been fair on a dog as there would have been 3 days each week with no one home. Then I changed job in April to one which is based at home rather than in an office so it became a possibility.

We bought our puppy from a licensed breeder but I was shocked at how many. unlicensed People were selling puppies. We paid a lot of money but that felt right. I can't believe that prices used to be so low that a dog was cheaper than a mobile phone. I think prices being high is a good thing, it means its not an "impulse" purchase so hopefully people buying puppies will have done their research and be committed.

In captivity chinchillas live up to 20 years

Came to really add, anyone thinking about chickens, we got some earlier in the year, I I had the books, done my research, got 3 chicks that have grown into large fluffy none laying chickens.
I thought we were prepared.
Absolutely not.
We have a small terrace house garden which we had spent a long time on, nowhere in our care books did they say chucks would absolutely destroy the lawn, plants, dirt - everything.
We have to feed, water and let out to free roam daily (not with bird flu outbreak)
We are awaiting a bigger coop so they have space to roam now they can't be free ranged.
They've never once laid and egg.
Love pecking at me when I go out (it hurts!)
Chicken shit everywhere.
They're actually a nightmare

However. We brought them, we committed to them, so the chickens stay - shitting, eating, ruining the garden, not laying eggs

All the hard work and expense (food, straw, safe and adequate housing) really isn't worth the eggs that I one day hope they'll eventually start laying!

....and all this written by someone who has 3 dogs, snake & a African land snail.

I totally agree with the op, in every respect.

Yes. .and the sale of pets should be more regulated.

I agree with most of the sentiment expressed on here, but I do find it a bit (lot!) hypocritical when most people eat animals that have lived short, agonisingly tortured lives in the foulest conditions followed by a terrifying and horrific death. Animals are all intelligent and sentient - even chickens are very bright, look up chicken intelligence research online. Why do we worry about the feelings of one type and have total disregard for any form of care for others? Yes, I eat a plant based diet, and find these sort of discussions so strange. Its like people pretend to themselves that they're anti animal cruelty while knowingly paying for animals to live and die horribly.