discussion started due to the response from other forum members when I have advertised my stepsisters' 12 month old cat for adoption recently. i know there's a lot of negative feelings towards people putting their animals up for rehome and personally i think pet owners should research what they'll be letting themselves in for better a lot of the time. We rehomed our 2 cats and feel very lucky to have them both. my original message was meant to help see if i could assist in finding a new, loving home for a cat whose owner had decided she can't care for him or give him as much attention as he deserves. she is keeping him until she finds the right home. she loves him. how do other people feel about this please?

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Greetings from Ally and Noodle in sunny Cheshire!

In my personal opinion, I think IN SOME CASES people decide to rehome as a first option because it is easier than trying to work around the cats needs. When you get a pet they should become part of your family, for life-you are taking on a responsibility not a disposable possession. Having said that, sometimes there are circumstances where a rehome has to happen. But I think a lot of rehomes are down to people not researching what caring for a pet entails or taking the easy way out when something else crops up. Sorry if that sounds harsh but thats how I feel. My fur babies are with me for life x

and mine. they are my children they have their own bedroom.

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Greetings from Ally and Noodle in sunny Cheshire!

they have no fur though. feline babies!!

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Greetings from Ally and Noodle in sunny Cheshire!

it's not harsh. you're right - we did a LOT of research before getting our first because we couldn't (and wouldn't) add to the statistics of animals in shelters. all too often people realise too late that they aren't right for the pet or the pet's not right for them. but it can go the other way as well. someone with too many pets because they're trying to care for the animals themselves and taking on any that might cross their paths despite not having the room / funds / energy to care for them properly. i think my ss is going about things the right way now she's made her decision but can see why people don't like the situation

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Greetings from Ally and Noodle in sunny Cheshire!

Some people don't research, some circumstances change, some priorities change, people change, aslong as the pets interest is the number one priority I don't think people have the right to judge, we live our own lives & have no idea how others feel & live so I wouldn't comment on someone's personal decisions

I think there are several issues - yes, certainly people often don't research enough and don't think (adopting a kitten when you are in rented accommodation that you might well be out of within a year, means you will then be likely to be rehoming an adult cat). Time of the year - trying to rehome non-urgent cases in the kitten season is unrealistic - rescues will be overflowing. "Child has allergies" may mean "child is allergic to something, rather than investigate properly we have decided to get rid of the cat". "Needs more attention" always sounds to me like "I am too busy to be bothered with this cat any more", and then there are the cats who are rehomed because the owner now has a baby and cannot or will not work out how to keep the cat out of the baby's room.

Liz

Completely agree. I also think alot of people use the 'child with allergies' excuse to justufy their actions. When I used to look at ads on Preloved (no idea why!) there was always quite a few that would be amended to use this as a reason for rehoming.

It always angers me when I read 'dont' have time for' when really it should read 'don't want to make time for'

Personally I think in alot of cases the animal would still be better off in the original home with an onwer trying a bit harder but I realise it doesn't work like that. I also think that for some animals they would still be better off in a home where circumstances aren't perfect than have to go through the ordeal of being in a rescuce centre.

I don't think alot of people are putting their pets needs first & yes I am judgemental about that but don't really care what people think. To constantly tell people they are 'doing the right thing' is wrong & seems to make getting rid of a pet because you can't be bothered any more an acceptable option - it isn't & should be a last resort when all other avenues have been tried

When you take on the care of a pet,IMO that care is taken on in the full understanding that it is not "optional".Sadly pets seem to be a very "disposable " item.How many of these "rehomed" pets go through their lives being "rehomed" over and over again.

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I am possibly looking at rehoming an older ragdoll, who is being rehomed due to a new baby.

He is 3, theyve had him since a kitten, and they also had an 8 yr old daughter who 'carried him around like a baby' so is hardly going to be a menace to a new baby.

I understand the risks of cats and babies (heck mush nearly suffocates me most nights) but, surely you can shut doors??

I feel they are very few situations where rehoming is appropriate. If your new place doesnt take pets, don't move in. If you have to move in, hide the pets. its really not hard, believe me, been there done that. Cats are WAY easier to hide than rabbits...

If me and my partner lost our jobs tomorrow, I have looked at the benefits that would be afforded to us, and we could still keep our cats. Everything would go, furniture, electricals, everything, before my cats go. Everything can be replaced but them.

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