To tell my brother and sister in law what I think of their behaviour?

[ImaHogg]

My brother and sister in law have been together for 12 years.
In those 12 years they have had 10 dogs. Not all at the same time but every year or so SIL will decide she wants a puppy. She never goes to a rescue centre, it’s always expensive puppies from a breeder. Then after puppyhood she bores of them and rehomes them (usually advertises them on Pets4homes so god only knows who has them).
There is always an excuse why the latest one has gone, ‘oh it made xxx’s legs itchy’, ‘oh we realised this breed is too boisterous’, ‘oh this one barked alot’ ffs!
They must have spent around £10k on dogs.
Last year they got a gorgeous little puppy which set them back £2500. I have just found out from my mil that this one has just been rehomed!
As a dog owner myself and absolute animal lover I am fuming.
I usually keep quiet when it comes to dh’s family and never say much but I am so angry that I feel when I do see them I won’t be able to bite my tongue, I want to tell them they are very irresponsible and should be ashamed of themselves. I also want to plead with them not to ever, ever get a dog, ever again.
I probably am BU as it’s none of my business but I am so very angry and upset for these poor dogs.

How does your mil (her mother?) feel about it ? And does she express her disapproval to her DD?

You're not being unreasonable, that's appalling behaviour. I'd give both of them a piece of my mind and not have much else to do with them. People who treat animals that badly are not people I'd want to associate with.

I wouldn't go bitching about it behind their backs, but I wouldn't keep my opinion to myself to their faces.

"Another dog? Haven't you worked out yet that they don't suit you?"

"When are you going to give this one up?"

Etc.

No need to bring it up, but if it comes up, say your piece.

(FIL, without invite, brings up thst he thinks I ought to get some keeping up with the Jones's PCP car like him. But if I were constantly buying cars and complaining about the expense, that would be different.)

You’ll achieve nothing but a family split if you say something. They’re clearly thick as fuck and will never understand what the problem with their actions is. They literally wont understand the words you’re saying to them. They understand words like “aww cute floofer. Me want”

That’s disgusting. They should never get another animal.

We have all ‘gently’ said things in the past but it does fall on deaf ears. When they got the puppy last year I did say ‘What an absolute beaut, I do hope you will keep this one’, they said ‘Yes, of course we will’!!
So yes, it’s probably not worth saying anything but I really, really feel sick because I just know they will get another. It makes me want to weep.

I have a family member that dies this with cats.

The last one was revoked two months ago and she is already talking about getting another.

And not a rescue, she wants a Sphinx or some weird Siamese cross this time around.

She still hasn’t figured out that she is the common denominator and problem, not the cats.

This is why you should have to go through a vetting procedure to be able to buy an animal. Anyone offices seeing that these idiots have gone through 10 dogs in 10 years would ban them from owning any animal for life.

Oh I'd be the same I'd lose interest when it was no longer an adorable little puppy. Difference is though for that reason I wouldn't get a dog.

Disposable possessions, poor things. At those prices can assume they're pedigree so possibly advising the Kennel Club and giving them their details? No idea if they can get a "black mark" against their name for future ownership. Alternatively giving them a call and asking for advice. Any worthy breeder is very keen on excellent homes for their pups, so it would be such a shame if any future breeder they go to found out in advance about what selfish twats they are....

Much as I would like to say be restrained, dont say anything it will cause a rift I know full well if I was in your shoes I would HAVE to say something. A dog is for life not just once its out of the cute puppy phase. I bet they dont train them or anything either. Plus any dog put out on Pets4homes could easily end up being fight bait. They should be ashamed of themselves really behaving like this. Perhaps next time one of those facebook posts about abandoned dogs being used as dog fight bait pops up on your time line you should tag her in it "I wonder if this is where (name all of her dogs) ended up? " sometimes people are just so thick you have to completely spell it out before they get the message.

I’m also interested in what your MIL says about it? I have a situation where my mother never seems to share her opinion on my siblings past poor behaviour and I’m intrigued by it. I can’t imagine allowing my children to become adults and exhibit similar poor, in this case cruel life choices, and not tell them they’re acting atrociously!!!

I’d say my piece quite bluntly if it came up, but I wouldn’t bother starting a conversation about it because it’s pointless.

They're absolute scumbags but anything you say will fall on deaf ears. The type that behaves like this just don't give a fuck.

This is why I don't think puppies should be sold. Full stop. The shelters are full of dogs that need to be rehomed.

Tbh, my in-laws aren’t animal lovers but they have told them it’s not right but it does fall on deaf ears. Luckily I don’t see my bil &sil too much but they are due to pop by soon with my birthday present and in all honesty I don’t want to see them, I’m just too angry with them right now.

I would not hold back, personally. People like this are a huge problem - dogs aren't lifestyle accessories!

It's despicable behaviour and I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut I'm afraid!

I know someone like this too.
Their 10yr old was surprised when I showed her a picture of our dog, she asked what happened to our puppy, I said this is her grown up. She said 'why havent you got rid of her yet?'
I told her bluntly that you dont just get rid of pets when they grow up, she said 'mummy, does' I said I know, and your mummy is wrong to do it and I hope she doesnt get another' She just looked confused.
Although if the mum could have got rid of her kids as easily she probably would have too.

Katie Price promotes the buying of puppies the silly bitch

This behavior makes me so angry. I wouldn't be able to keep quiet.

That’s awful . Have they got money to burn ?

I must admit I would find it difficult not to say something but it does not sound like their behaviour will change .

They must like the attention they get for having cute puppies or something . Sounds like they are mentally not quite right tbh.

We have all ‘gently’ said things in the past but it does fall on deaf ears. When they got the puppy last year I did say ‘What an absolute beaut, I do hope you will keep this one’, they said ‘Yes, of course we will’

Is it worth finding a chance to remind them of that conversation and asking what happened to "Of course we well keep him"? And when they come up with the excuse ask whether it has dawned on them after ten tries that dog owning is not for them?

Is BIL your husband's brother? Has he ever taken him aside and asked him WTF?

I think you should stop pulling your punches. Don't waste time being gentle about it. I wonder if the RSPCA would be interested in talking to them?

Maybe you could have an RSPCA party where you get lots of family together, invite a few volunteers with rehomable pups, and someone quite senior who will show pictures of what can happen to the poor dogs who are being irresponsibly rehomed..... Perhaps the talk could start off with something like "Now I'm sure you all believe that if you have a rehome a cute little puppy that it will go to a loving home...." while all your other relatives nudge each other and look at your BIL/SIL chuckling and saying "sounds like you sis!" etc. IF they were ever to dare to get another pup there could be lots of jokes about "oh another can of dog food...."

There’s no way I’d be biting my tongue about it OP. It’s absolutely disgusting and I would have no problem telling them how vile they’re being. How sad for all those pups