Would you ever return a pet?

[tomthebarncat]

I'd return/rehome any pet that wasn't suitable - for its own welfare. For example, we recently got a kitten. If that kitten hadn't been compatible with our existing cat, it wouldn't be beneficial for either cat to live in that environment, so I would rehome the kitten (thankfully they love each other).

I wouldn't ask for my money back though - but then we try to take rescue animals or "freebies" (we're the suckers who always take the last kitten to stop it going to the rescue centre ). Both are cats have been the "last of the little" - but not the runts (both were the biggest!) - but people didn't want them because their colours/markings weren't "pretty" like their siblings. This is great for us because we got two awesome cats (and we LOVE their colours/markings because they're unusual).

I would also return any dog anyone "gifted" to me because I am NOT a dog person - my partner and I have had discussions about the possibility of ever owning one so I hope he knows there is a big red "X" through that one!! (I love other people's dogs, but I would never want to own one).

I would have agreed with you on this one, until I went thru a divorce and started dating again. I decided to get a small dog as that could not be any worse than my social life. It turned out to be the best decision I have ever made and it broke my heart and my wallet when Spike died of stomach cancer.I had been a cat person for 39 years and then one day I decided .... anyway I am now on my second god/dog from the same rescue group. So never say never. On the second anniversary of Spike's death I had his name tattooed on my left shoulder, his memory is already tattoed across my heart. I never would have imagined something so small would leave such a big hole in my heart.....

 

[mrsstats]

I for the most part think it is wrong to return a pet. However, if you have an animal and you have tried everything in your power to make things better for you and that animal and it hasnt worked, you would be better off returning the animal.

I have a dog that I have had for 7 years. We adopted her when she was about 3. In the past 6 months she has become very agressive with us and our other dog. We are working on correcting the problem but I could see returning her if things done get better. She has already bitten my DH when he was trying to control her. Nothing serious in a bite but I wouldnt want it to get worse.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I'm assuming we're talking cat/dog here. An animal that doesn't form attachments to people (like say any of the various gerbils, mice, fish, lizards, etc. . . . that I have owned), I would rehome simply for convenience. Let's say I had a fish, was moving across country and knew someone who wanted a fish and would take care of it -- sure, I'd probably give it away rather than trying to figure out the logistics of transporting a fish. I've given away classroom pets at the end of the school year to other teachers.

Cats and dogs and probably some other animals that I'm not thinking of, are different because I think they form close bonds with people and giving them to a new person would be difficult for everyone. However, I would "return" a pet for the health/wellfare/safety of a family member, including the pet (who I consider a family member). I love my dog a whole lot, if he jeopardized my child's safety (say biting, or if my child developed allergies) then he'd go back to the wonderful rescue he came from, probably with a signifcant donation to help them cover his expenses. I'd also give him back if my life changed to the point where I couldn't care for him -- let's say I was hospitalized a lot, and he wasn't getting the love/attention/exercise that he needed. Let's say that my income dropped to the point where I couldn't feed him and give him vet care. Then he'd go back.

But, because I know how incredibly hard that would be for him, I took a lot of steps to make it unlikely that that would happen. I talked to my kid's allergist and wouldn't have gotten a dog if he'd had any concerns. I waited until my child was older and thus more likely to get along with a dog, and until I was in a place financially with enough wiggle room for some emergency vet bills. I chose carefully, an adult dog with a clear personality, and picked one who had a lot of experience with children, and a "soft" temperment since as a novice owner I didn't want a challenge I might not be able to meet. I put him in training classes right away too. I also chose to use a reputable rescue that asks that if you ever rehome your dog you return it to them. If I hadn't done that I would have done a reputable breeder who made the same promise.