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Dogs are said to be the most loyal animals a human can have, so thinking about getting rid of your dog is just sad.
They not only became your best friend but also dedicated their whole life to loving you unconditionally and wholeheartedly.
Giving up on such a companion is nothing short of a tragedy and leaves you gutted and heartbroken.
The guilt stays with you for the rest of your life.
Not a day goes by when you don’t reminisce about the heartwarming times you have had with your furry buddy.
Why Would You Want To Get Rid Of Your Dog?
There could be various reasons why one would want to rehome their dogs.
Some of your reasons could be:
Your Dog Is Unruly And Disobedient
A misbehaving dog is one of the most common reasons people are rehoming them.
Their disruptive shenanigans and unnecessary aggression may harm you or the people around you.
However, these behaviors can be managed with the help of an expert or a vet.
But it is reasonably understandable to want to rehome your dog when it is already out of your control.
You Don’t Have Space
It is hard to raise and house a dog in limited spaces with no lawns or backyards.
Downsizing on both your living space and budget can be challenging.
So, if you are moving out and don’t have the liberty to choose dog-friendly housing, finding a new home for your dog might be prudent.
Your Dog Is Immunocompromised
Sometimes a chronic sickness may take over your beloved companion, leaving it severely immunocompromised and needing 24/7 healthcare and attention.
Not everyone can look after such a dog at home.
In such a case, you may have to let go of your dog.
That is ok as long as you ensure your dog receives the best healthcare at the best facility.
Also, you can only put it down after exhausting all available alternatives.
You Are Immunocompromised
If, by any unfortunate chance, you are suffering from an allergy or a disease that makes it difficult for you to have a dog around. In that case, it is okay to consider rehoming.
However, there are a few measures for people who can’t fathom the idea of their best friend leaving and needing them for emotional support.
You can adopt those measures to co-exist with your pet without feeling worn out.
Take it up with both your doctor and your dog’s vet.
Am I A Bad Person For Rehoming My Dog?
Getting rid of your dog is okay because they are disruptively problematic, or you want to rehome them for a genuine reason.
What is not acceptable is leaving them to their own devices and not putting in genuine effort in finding them a new, deserving home.
Here are a few Dos and Don’ts if you decide to rehome your dog so that you don’t feel too bad about giving it up:
Dos
- Start by asking around if anybody is interested in adopting your pet.
The best deal is finding a loving family with prior experience with dogs.
Make sure the new family will take care of your dog like their own kin.
It is even better if you are friends or related to them.
You must seek out someone who will do their best in raising the dog.
They should cater to all your dog’s needs like you did and won’t abandon it for a minor inconvenience. - Reach out to renowned rescuers or rescue teams in your locality that provides ‘fostering’ service until a good, worthy home is found for your pet.
You could also drop them off at an animal shelter.
You are responsible for ensuring that the facility is legit and strictly against killing or putting down. - Start by posting on your social media or specific pet groups on Facebook.
You would be surprised to find many people striving for change and helping people relocate their pets to safe and sound facilities.
Don’ts
- Do NOT leave your dog at a dog pound, no matter what they advertise.
These facilities are inadequate, and your dog deserves more than being left in a cage to rot. - Do NOT leave them in the wild or far from your area to fend for themselves.
Dogs mostly find a way back or end up dead.
If you truly love your dog, you would not want any of that. - Do not leave it at someone’s place without verifying and checking out their premises.
Your utmost responsibility is to see through and ensure that wherever your dog is headed, it will be well taken care of. - This is a decision to be taken rationally and after thorough discussion and research.
Do not take it lightly or listen to other people.
Getting judged for what you are about to do is hurtful, but you must do what is best for your family and your dog.
Should I Feel Bad?
It is fairly understandable that the idea of giving up your dog sends a shiver down your spine and fills you up with guilt you can’t let go of.
First of all, remember that dogs are a highly accommodating species.
They will adjust to any place if given the right amount of love and attention.
Keep in touch with whoever you give your dog to and request them to send you regular updates and pictures.
The only way you can heal is when you know that your dog is happy and well-settled.
Take pride in the fact that you enabled a family to experience the sheer joy and contentment you felt while raising this baby.
The grief will eventually start to fade, and you will have nothing but good memories to look back on.
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who has been into researching and writing about pets to help other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets. Currently, she runs Purrfect n’ Pawesome along with her team of experienced and dedicated pet experts. Along with being an awesome writer and entrepreneur, Amanda is a cat mom to two innocently spoiled cats, Balanca and Scruffy.
She has been writing about pet care and nurturing and wants to share her readers’ experiences, learnings, and knowledge.
Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime.
Her family, her entire universe revolves around her two cats, who give her endless support and inspiration to move ahead with her objectives in life. Amanda is a live example of a balanced approach to all parenthood questions we all face in life.
