To return dog to rescue

[OutbackQueen]

I rehomed a 3 year old rescue terrier cross just over a month ago on the basis that I’d be able to work from home in the afternoons. This arrangement has fallen through due to IT issues and I have to be in the office from 9 until 4.30. My partner (who I don’t live with) has kindly stepped in to look after the dog in the afternoons but also had two large dogs who require a lot of exercise.

I feel it’s asking to much of him to do this on a permanent basis (although he may well say yes) and I really don’t want to feel beholden to him. AIBU to want to rehome the dog due to a change in my circumstances? I obviously feel sad and guilty doing this but am finding it hard to find another option.

So irresponsible. Poor dog. 🤬

Some of the replies on here are horrendous.

Circumstances change. Life changes. Health changes. I would willing to bet that the vast majority of dog owners couldn't magically pull £200+ a month out of their backside for a dog walker at the last minute, tbh.

It's totally okay to re-home a pet if you can no longer meet its' needs and tbh I am sick of seeing people getting slaughtered on here for even considering it.

It is far, far better for the dog to be re-homed with someone who can afford it and who can be there for it. OP is struggling and can't, and you know what, that's okay.

I'm sure she feels awful enough as it is, there's no need to go at her and try and make her feel even worse.

You are treating that poor dog like a thing. Utterly disgraceful.

@OutbackQueen

Thank you *@RunningFromInsanity*. I wonder how people on a low income afford dogs - are they all irresponsible? Very middle-class attitudes here 😒

Omg. What a terrible attitude you have. Of course you only get things you can afford!!!!!

Yes ANYBODY who gets an animal they cannot afford to look after is irresponsible. That poor dog is going to lose its home.

@OutbackQueen oh dear, what a judgemental pile-on.

You did a good thing, giving this dog a new loving home, and with the best of intentions, but your circumstances have changed completely due to no fault of your own, and unless there's a possibility of you getting your wfh afternoons back, it's probably best you return him to the rescue shelter. I'm sure lots of people's personal circumstances are in flux at the moment, and it's difficult to navigate.
They'll find him a new home and he'll be happy, which is the important thing.
Life and plans sometimes don't work out. Not your fault.

But in this case they're not getting it right. I find it infuriating that we looked for a rescue for a couple of years without success yet some people manage to get a rescue but want to return it after a month because of a change of circumstances!

I don't know your circumstances so I can't comment on what made rescues turn you down for such a long time. And I don't know what checks the OP's rescue made as they all have their own way of doing things, and I think it's impossible to get it right 100% of the time. I don't blame them for erring on the side of caution. The number of dogs being returned is crazy.

@OutbackQueen

Thank you *@RunningFromInsanity*. I wonder how people on a low income afford dogs - are they all irresponsible? Very middle-class attitudes here 😒

Anyone getting an animal who doesn’t have a proper plan for its care is irresponsible In cases where marriages break down etc it’s fair enough but in your case you have just been told you can’t WFH anymore, which isn’t that unusual.

There are some dogs who are absolutely fine being at home on their own during the day. If you can get someone in to walk it in the middle of your shift then it might cope just fine with that (some dogs do some don’t), it’s not as if you’re out 7-7. It does however sound as though you’re not that attached if you’d be ok with returning without even asking your partner if he could help, therefore it might be best for the dog to return him to rescue.

Yes, rehoming a dog is better than not meeting its needs but what's even better is putting more thought into what having a dog entails and how you'll cope if circumstances change, before you get one.

There's been no shortage of articles in the media about lockdown dogs being returned because the owners can no longer work from home. It's been well advertised.

No you can't plan for absolutely everything e,g losing your home or severe illness but you do need to think beyond the now and consider the longterm and how will you manage if things change or if unexpected expenses crop up like vet bills.

Yes, circumstances change but if you're choosing to take on the responsibility for an animal that relies on you WFH then you ensure that's tried and tested and in your contract.

Although I agree that after just one month! returning sooner rather than later is probably the better option.

@HoldingTheDoor - we weren't turned down for rescues as such, we were considered but the planets/requirements never aligned.

Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever....

get another dog again.

I think if you are considering owning an animal part of that is to consider the eventualities, i.e. what happens if my circumstances change, what do I do over holidays, who can have dog in emergency, can I afford this animals care?…they are a huge commitment and it feels like you haven’t considered any of this sadly. The whole lockdown scenario has meant lots of people are now in this position and lots of dogs are being sent back to rescues. It sounds pretty thoughtless to me and I’m amazed folk don’t think ahead when making such a big life choice.

I agree that people are being unnecessarily harsh. It's not like the OP rushed out and got a dog at the start of lockdown. They have presumably waited until they were confident that they could work from home permanently.

@OutbackQueen please don't let the judgement that you have received on here put you off contacting the rescue and rehoming it through them, rather than privately.

They have presumably waited until they were confident that they could work from home permanently.

But this is actually literally the opposite of what they have done. The OP says

I rehomed a 3 year old rescue terrier cross just over a month ago on the basis that I’d be able to work from home in the afternoons. This arrangement has fallen through due to IT issues and I have to be in the office from 9 until 4.30.

They got the dog a month ago and now suddenly IT issues have occurred? Seems very very unlikely this was an established permanent WFH job.

Anyway, despite the ins and outs, the best thing is yes for the dog to be rehomed ASAP before he bonds.

Yes, rehoming a dog is better than not meeting its needs but what's even better is putting more thought into what having a dog entails and how you'll cope if circumstances change, before you get one.

I'm sure OP is fully aware she's messed up and doesn't need loads of nasty comments pushing her down even more.

No dog owner is perfect and I bet if all you people criticising her posted about your situations, someone would be able to pick fault and tell you you're doing it wrong too.

She's just asking what's best for her dog - she doesn't need a pile-on and going by the responses, I'm not surprised this forum has the reputation it does.

You don't have to agree with what she's done but you don't need to treat her like she's the worst person in the world for having to work full time when she owns a pet.

@NoSquirrels

They have presumably waited until they were confident that they could work from home permanently.

But this is actually literally the opposite of what they have done. The OP says

I rehomed a 3 year old rescue terrier cross just over a month ago on the basis that I’d be able to work from home in the afternoons. This arrangement has fallen through due to IT issues and I have to be in the office from 9 until 4.30.

They got the dog a month ago and now suddenly IT issues have occurred? Seems very very unlikely this was an established permanent WFH job.

Yep If you need to WFH before getting a dog make sure it’s in your contract

However, the situation is what it is and if OP makes the difficult decision to return the dog as the best option FOR THE DOG then I wouldn’t judge her. Better that than leave it alone for a long time

Today 07:55 OutbackQueen

Thank you @RunningFromInsanity. I wonder how people on a low income afford dogs - are they all irresponsible? Very middle-class attitudes here 😒“

No. If you’re on a low income, you can’t afford to look after a dog properly. Food, health/dental care, walker/kennels when necessary are very costly.

Btw, “middle-class people” can be on low incomes too.

I’m sorry, but op you sound very irresponsible taking on a pet in the first place without guaranteed arrangements for their care. If you needed to wfh to keep them, then you shouldn’t have got a dog without that being a part of your contract.

An animal is not a toy or a commodity, they shouldn’t be picked up and dropped as though they are disposable.

I do believe that rehoming the dog now is probably the best outcome as they won’t have had too long to get settled in and will be less wrenching for them to go to a new family.

On the income side of things- anyone who can not afford to adequately care for a pet should not get one. At all.

Someone said it's 'just' £8 a day, well 5 times a week that's £160+ a month. With a six household income we would struggle to throw that in there. Yes you might get hit with a vet bill, but most people would have insurance and that £160 would comfortably cover your excess. Also, it might not be nice, but economic euthanasia is a thing. Often the most expensive treatments are the least likely to be successful, or the most onerous on the animal.
I have had loads of pets, including a horse who was my best friend, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, hamsters. I absolutely agree they're part of your family. You still shouldn't run your family into debt for them.
OP you are being responsible looking at this now rather than waiting until it becomes a more serious problem. Have you checked out cheaper options like borrow my doggy?