Is this right? non newf question

[scout]

One of my students is leaving for college on Friday. Her mother asked her to find another home for her Rott, Biscuit. Mom works full time and didn't think it would be fair to leave Biscuit at home alone for many long hours. Nice dog, though Rotts haven't been my favorite (a story for another day). I helped the girl find the contact info for a local Rottweiler rescue organization and a number of other rescues. The only one who responded to her emails and calls told her that they couldn't help her in such a short time (four days) and suggested that the best thing to do would be to take Biscuit to the vet and hold her while she was euthanized. Does that sound like a reasonable solution to you? The local humane society is not taking dogs due to an outbreak of parvo. Does anyone have any suggestions? I made a few calls to friends and other students...got the word out, but no solid leads yet.

First of all, how heartless to tell her to euthanize her baby. THis girl is in agony over this, has tried to find a good home for her dog. She called me in tears. It's not her fault that her mother has to work full time...they are not well off, and someone has to pay for college. She has a partial scholarship, but even with that, it will be a struggle for her family.

For those of you who will want to jump in and judge this girl for "dumping" her dog, don't you dare. She loves this dog, and knows it would be wrong to leave her alone for 12 hours at a time. She is doing the best she can. The circumstances don't allow her to keep this dog, or else she would.

I'd really appreciate any help offered.

Thanks

 

[Leslie]

Maybe an all-breed rescue. What about a no-kill shelter. There are lots of folks in Michigan. Maybe someone can help.

 

[scout]

good news! The same rescue that told her to have the dog euthanized came back with an emergency foster family. They set up an appointment, the foster family (mom, dad,little daughter and one of their dogs) came for a visit, everyone got on well, and they foster family took Biscuit into rescue. They have exchanged email addresses and promised to keep in touch, and the girl will be allowed to visit when she comes home to visit from college.

All around, it's a good thing. Biscuit will have a good home, and the girl can at least have the peace of mind that Biscuit is being well taken care of. She's awfully sad, and spent about an hour crying to me on the phone, but she'll be fine.

Thanks Leslie!

 

[Leslie]

Well, that's good news. I hope Bicuit likes her new home.

 

[alexmaddy]

Just seeing this for the first time...so glad Biscuit has a safe and loving place to go.

mj

 

[Ivoryudx]

Yes, its good to hear that Biscuit is safe, but to answer your question. No, it is not normal for a rescue group to suggest putting a dog to sleep just because they can't take it. That should only happen if the dog has aggressive behavior and can not be rehomed due to safety issues.

I'm glad this worked out!

Susan

 

[ardeagold]

That's teriffic news! I was stunned when I saw that someone in rescue suggested euthanizing a perfectly healthy, nice dog.

I hope all goes well for the young girl while she's at college...and for the dog.

 

[kagricola]

I am not going to defend this rescue, given that I don't have all the facts, but if your area is anything like ours, there are way more Rotts looking for homes than any shelter or rescue could possibly place. Here's another perspective from someone who spends almost all my non-work time trying to place shelter pets in loving homes. A truly responsible owner wouldn't wait until the last possible minute to contact rescue, especially during the summer when every shelter and rescue is over capacity while adoptions are very low due to so many people being on vacation. Shelters in many parts of the country still "euthanize" by gassing or even using a gun. The rescue group may have been trying to spare the dog the fate of a very inhumane end at that type of shelter. I don't know the facts, but there is often much more to this than people understand.

 

[scout]

"A truly responsible owner wouldn't wait until the last possible minute to contact rescue, especially during the summer when every shelter and rescue is over capacity while adoptions are very low due to so many people being on vacation."

Absolutely, but this is a teen who was hoping to spend as much time with her dog as possible before she had to give her up. She's very responsible, thank you, but struggled long and hard with this decision, and hoped her mother would find a way to help her keep the dog. She did not know that this was a bad time to put a dog in rescue since she had never had to deal with this before. It sure would be nice if the rescues/shelters got the word out that it was a bad time to give up a pet.

 

[blstarke]

The good news is that she found a home

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Glad to hear that it has all worked out well for Biscuit and that the girl can go to college and think about classes, not worry about her dog. Sounds like the best possible outcome.

 

[ina/puusty]

Just coming on this tonight, as well..hoping for good school exp. for the girl..and a good 'foster homing' for the rottie. ina n HB