Having a pet is a great responsibility. We have to assume all their care, as well as the expenses that arise from it (food, accessories, visits to the veterinarian…). It is also important to give our pet a lot of attention, affection, cuddles, playtime and walks in the case of dogs. And, of course, we have to educate them, which influences the well-being of the animal itself, as well as coexistence at home and the relationship with other people and animals.
Unfortunately, there are people who do not take this commitment into account when purchasing a pet and, after a while, get tired of it. This is when they choose to abandon the animal, a cruel and also illegal method in our country. Of course, there are also those who have known how to meet the needs of their pet, but for various reasons they cannot continue to take charge of its ownership.
This may occur, for example, when the person’s or family’s financial situation changes and they can no longer afford the expenses involved in owning a pet. Another reason is a serious illness, or the animal owner’s admission to a residential facility. The need to move to another country, a drastic job change with incompatible schedules for caring for the pet, or suddenly developing an allergy to the animal are also possibilities that mean its owner must find an alternative.
If you have already decided that you cannot take care of your pet and must find it a new home, it is best to start with people close to the animal, such as family, friends or neighbors. They will not be complete strangers to the animal and you will also know for sure that they will take proper care of your pet. And you will also have the option to watch it again when possible.
Another option is to register on an adoption platform, or publish an announcement on social networks and in other spaces such as the bulletin board of your veterinary clinic. You should make sure to conduct a detailed interview with the candidates to adopt your pet, as you must leave it in the hands of someone who will take care of it properly.
On the other hand, you can turn to an animal shelter, especially in the case of dogs and cats. Here they will welcome your pet until they find a new home for it and you must legally renounce possession of it. However, keep in mind that these institutions are usually overwhelmed and have many more animals than they can manage.
Finally, there are animal residential centers where you can pay for their stay for a certain period. It is a good temporary solution if you can no longer keep your pet but have not yet found a new home for it.
