Many times we are moved by the kitten who looks more like a ball of cotton, or the sad-eyed pup and bring their home to be our pets. But what happens when novelty wears off and you realize that a pet is too much work, and you are just not up to it? Here is a list of dos and don’ts when you find yourself in soup:
DO:
P Admit that it was your mistake.
P Take responsibility for your mistake.
P Keep the pet and care for it well until you find it a good home.
P Be extremely diligent in finding someone truly appropriate for this pet; remember, if you hadn’t made your mistake this pet might already have a good home.
P If you absolutely cannot keep the pet, contact a rescue group that specialises in the type of pet, or a no-kill sanctuary, and make sure the pet is in good hands.
DON’T:
O Take the frustration out on the pet.
O Expect to gain back any of the money you spent on the pet; your responsibility is to ensure that this living creature is well taken care of... and you deserve an expensive lesson for your mistake!
O Pawn the pet off on someone else who may be an equally poor prospective keeper.
O Dump the pet off at a shelter or any other service where it may be euthanised.
O Dump the pet on the roadside or in the wilderness where it will certainly soon die.
O Make the same mistake again!