Excuses, Excuses

Below is a list of actual excuses given to us by people relinquishing their pets to our humane society. We just wonder when people will learn to be responsible pet owners, have their pets spayed or neutered, and realize that owning a pet is a long-term commitment. Until everyone learns that a pet is not "disposable", animals will continue to be destroyed in record numbers in humane societies throughout the country. Please, if you are going to own a pet, be a responsible dog or cat owner. Or, don't own one at all!

Dogs

• barks

• he has fleas

• cries at night (this was a dog that was locked in a storage room)

• he was cute as a puppy, but now he's not

• he chews (this was a 3 month old puppy cutting teeth)

• she's pregnant

• he sheds

• won't stay off the furniture

• my girlfriend hates dogs

• he digs

• we're having a baby

• we're moving

• eats too much

• he runs along the fence and now we can't get grass to grow

• we aren't home much

• my girlfriend loves dogs, but she hates this one

• sleeps too much

• she's gotten pregnant twice this year (duh, did they ever think to possibly spay her and be responsible?)

• don't have time to walk him

• wants to sit in my husband's lap

• demands too much attention

• his barking is irritating

• poops too much

• we didn't know that it would cost so much to have a pet

• chases cars

• we got new carpeting

• is now blind

• growls at my mother

• eats our neighbor's newspapers

• his ears are too long

• is a messy eater

• we're going on vacation

• neighbor doesn't like him

• we bought our dream house

Cats

• likes kittens but he is now a cat

• has fleas

• sheds

• moving

• has worms

• i'm pregnant

• scratches furniture

• meows

• we are allergic to him (this was an only owner cat who had it for 6 years)

• he's too fat

• kids are scared of them

• keeps getting into fights (unaltered male)

• wife doesn't like

• hisses

• vomits

• sprays in my garden (not neutered cat)

• wants too much attention

• messy litter box user

• shreds drapes

• can't afford

• sleeps on my car

• won't come when I call him

• husband hates cats

• going on vacation

• sleeps too much

• climbs the Christmas tree

• doesn't like to go outside

• vet bills are too high

• doesn't like the new kitten we bought

• getting old

• we have a new puppy

• thought it would be cheaper to have a cat

• wants to sleep with us

• wants too much attention

• wants to sleep on the bed

• doesn't match my new decorations! (and to think we thought we had heard everything)

• not fun anymore (2 year old cat)

• my girlfriend says she'll move out if I keep the cat