Sometimes it's actually fine to rehome..

[CurlewKate]

I hate it when someone comes on here whose circumstances have drastically changed and they are no longer in a position to give an appropriate home to their pet and there's a massive "You wouldn't rehome a child" "Never have another pet" pile on. Obviously we should
all take on animals with the sincere intention of loving them and looking after them all their lives. But things don't always work out like that. I want to say to people that responsibly rehoming is absolutely fine and can be the best way out of a horrible situation for all concerned-including the pet. And please stop beating up people in an impossible situation. They know it's not ideal and would a million times rather not. If you can't say anything helpful just don't say anything.

I've worked in animal rescue for 15 years now. Of course there are some cases where rehoming is necessary, but the vast majority of animals that come to us are not from situations that are unavoidable. In most cases, humans have been irresponsible. Sad but true.

@FridaySpark But nobody is going to come on here who bought a St Bernard puppy to live in a flat! I don't think I have ever seen a rehoming thread where the person hasn't tried their best. They may not be in a position to give huge amounts of time or money-but they have tried their best. And nobody can do more than that.

I don’t know that it’s fine but I can see that it might become necessary.

I've seen lots of threads on here over the years where the person has made irresponsible decisions and then want to rehome the animal.

There's plenty that have got an animal for their child, on the condition that their child looks after it. 🙄 Or those that decided to get a puppy when they're pregnant. Then they're surprised when doesn't work out. It's irresponsible behaviour and the animals suffer.

We rehomed our cat from a family who had had her since she was a tiny kitten - they then had a baby who became a wild toddler, and she was completely unhappy and stressed. (No-one’s fault, she is just a cat who hates loud noises.) She has a lovely life here, a huge garden to play in, no small children, and is spoilt rotten. She’s nine now, and six years down the line I still keep in touch with her former family who were heartbroken to give her up - but knew it was the right thing for her.

I rehomed one of my cats when it was clear they both were very stressed living as a pair.

i’d tried everything, but they’d destroyed my home with stress related spraying and toileting.

both were clearly much happier as only cats and went on to live long and content lives.

there are cases when rehoming is best for the pet. I have zero regrets.

i’d also never have more than one cat again.

I agree with you OP.
Plenty of times that circumstances change and a good rehome, especially without kennels in between is the best thing for everyone.

Often the animal is happier too.

I have seen a significant number of posts from someone saying they got a kitten/puppy a year or two ago and now they are pregnant or have a new baby and want to rehome the pet. I also know a couple of people who did this in RL.

I actually think people should be banned from getting a pet if they know they are likely to have a baby in the next few years. It’s so predictable.

(Obviously I know such a ban isn’t practical in reality).

Yes there are circumstances where rehoming a pet is necessary.

you are wrong that posters don’t come on here looking to justify rehoming a pet because having one is a bit inconvenient.

The one i see quite a lot is where they’ve set up the nursery before birth, found the cat/pet in the cot or pram, and immediately decide to rehome because the pet is a “danger”

don’t these people have doors? Or supervision?

The problem is shelters are overflowing. Fair enough if you can find a nice re-home yourself.

Surprising how many people's children have a fur allergy, that's the most common excuse, Preloved, freeads, are full of young pets that have mostly probably been taken on a whim, fast forward a few months, novelty worn off and now these pets need rehoming, and repeat.

I have been through a lot of down on my luck circumstances, getting rid of my pets was never an option.

@BlackcatsAndPumpkins "I have been through a lot of down on my luck circumstances, getting rid of my pets was never an option."

You're very lucky.

This is a growing issue with the poo fad.

people are actually buying poodle crosses because the a sold the lie that they are hypoallergenic. Then lo and behold the kid or whoever was still allergic.

i was asked to take on a “chipoo” years ago. Cost them £1500, they were utterly shocked because their dog allergic kid was allergic. “Breeder” wouldn’t take it back.