We see it all over Social Media posts about people needing to surrender their pets to a rescue or asking for help to get their pet rehomed, but should these people then be subjected to ugly comments such as ‘you are heartless’ or ‘you don’t deserve to have a dog, I would do anything I could to keep them’?
Relinquishing is often a last resort and rarely one that is made lightly. It can be seen as an unselfish and courageous act, to ensure that pet has a second chance of a happy life and not a reflection of a lack of love/care or giving up on them. It should instead be viewed as a responsible, often heartbreaking decision which has been made with the animal’s best interest at heart. Whilst abandonment is traumatic, relinquishing can be seen as a proactive, loving step when the owner is not able to care adequately for the pet’s needs due to a fundamental mismatch or change in circumstances.
Reasons why we shouldn’t stigmatise:
- Circumstances are often beyond the owner’s control. We may never know/understand an owner’s decision that has led to them looking to rehome their pet. These circumstances may be severe, unexpected or unavoidable such as health issues, financial issues, housing/eviction, domestic issues or unsafe living conditions.
- It encourages safer alternatives (relinquishment over abandonment). Destigmatising encourages owners to use legitimate resources like rescue centres, other charities and/or rehoming services ensuring those pets are safe, secure and potentially no longer neglected. Whilst abandonment is traumatic, relinquishing can be seen as proactive, and is often an act of love and sacrifice, where the owner recognises, they can no longer provide the quality of life the animal deserves, promoting animal welfare. We would recommend that all owners fill out a Pet CV for when care by others is needed. These can be found on our website: https://ourspecialfriends.org/care-plans/
- Promotes animal safety over “perfect” homes. If owners are shamed into keeping pets they can no longer care for, it can lead to situations where the animal is neglected or lives in a home that is not a good fit. Some behaviour issues for example are insurmountable for the owner, even with specialised support and it is in the animal’s best interest to be in another home that can provide more specialised care if appropriate. Sometimes it may not be safe at all for a pet to be rehomed safely, and timely difficult decisions need to be made.
- It acknowledges “Disenfranchised Grief”. Society often fails to validate the grief experienced when a pet is relinquished, treating it differently than if the pet has died. It is important this pain is recognised and supported.
- It promotes “One Welfare” (Human, Animal and the Environment together). The wellbeing of animals is closely tied to the welfare of their owners, and where they live. When owners are supported during crises, the trusting relationships that develop can lead to better outcomes for all involved.
This is not to say there are not owners out there who will rehome for the wrong reasons, and go about it in the wrong way (i.e. advertising them as ‘free to a good home’), but we would always advocate for responsible rehoming, using reputable organisations and charities, contacting breeders etc, and to contact charities such as ourselves for advice on how to best approach rehoming their pet. It is important for owners to reach out to their vets where possible, and to have pets checked for any underlying health issues and that they are suitable for being rehomed. In some cases, it is sadly necessary to gently have them ‘put to sleep’ where it would not be safe for them to find another home.
The goal of relinquishment/ rehoming should always be to ensure that the pets have a better quality of life, a home where they are wanted and their needs are met. Through reputable charities, you will also have ‘rescue back up’ (RBU) if the new home is not a successful solution. Supporting owners before, during and after this process- by providing resources, and showing empathy, is a crucial part of holistic animal welfare that benefits both the human and the animal.
