Sorry but this makes me SO cross...

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Bexiboo

This is a post on another forum I go on....

My kids need a pet. Really want a puppy, would rather a mongrel to be honest or a long legged jack russel. Has anyone had pups they just can't get rid of? Does anyone give dogs away these days? Most I've seen are £300 + and thats not really what I can spend at the moment.

They'd also love a guinea pig or rabbit. So would be looking for a home for them too so the hutch and maybe a run to sit on the grass.
If you know anyone with these then can they contact me
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Its like animals are just like toys for children not life long commitments. I do have 3 kids and I do have lots of animals that the children love (cats, chickens and guineas) but the pets are *my* pets and my responsiblity. Also I don't expect to get them for blinking FREE! She seems to want someone to give her a dog for free and also either 1 rabbit or 1 guinea AND their hutch and maybe a run!

Sorry this is my first post here but I thought you would understand.
 
Welcome to the club!

I have just adopted two beautiful teddy girls who were barely handled children's pets, because they got bored really quickly when they discovered they'd bought scratchy whirlwinds form a private breeder, not cuddly toys!

In the scheme of things - my girls actually got off lightly. I bet that your lady hasn't factured in medical costs, certainly not for something as "disposable" as a piggie or a bunny, but probably ot even a puppy. If she can't afford to pay £300 for a dog, how on earth is she going to care for it responsibly?

Gripe away...
 
I understand. I come across these things every day when I am browsing through the Wanted sections on other forums. 'Must be free.' 'Hoping for it to be free but will pay up to 20 pounds for the thing' and so on. It sickens me how people can just expect for their children to love and cherish their animals for the animals whole life, but little kids just don't understand that. I should know, I have an eight year old sister, and the only time she claims that Tobii is her guinea pig is 'Cuddle time' and 'Feeding time' Whenever we have to clean them out, she goes to play with her friends and leaves me to do it. I am twleve, and I care deeply for my pets.

Deanna xx

P.S. Welcome to the forum :))
 
This was my reply to her, I didn't want to sound too snippy.....

Its great your kids want pets, they are a really good way of teaching children about the responsiblity that taking an animal on is. Especially when dogs live 15/20 years and Guinea pigs live 5-7 years.
I think my advice would be to really look into all the animals you like and pick one that you really feel would work in your family. The main thing to remember is that at the end of the day the adult in the family does have to take the main responsibility for all those years. The only thing that puts me off having a dog is 15 years of 2 long walks a day no matter the weather and picking up the poo. Also what I would do with the dog whilst we go on holiday.
I think a good thing to factor in is the start up cost, a dog needs vaccinations ect and they are expensive, so does a rabbit, rabbits and guineas need to be kept in at least pairs as they are social animals (but you can't keep guineas in with rabbits) and you may need to pay for the rabbit to be neutered if you get males. The hutch needs to be big too to be kind, most pet shops sell hutches that are way too small and are more like a mini prison for the animal.
Also look into some kind of insurance, especially for dogs as vet care for dogs is sooo expensive.
You can find loads of good info on the net so my advise would be to really look into it so you make an informed family decision.
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Good one - hopefully that made her think twice!
 
any returns from the lady after your reply which sounds very good BTW?
 
No she hasn't replied. Others on the thread have mentioned going to rescue centres which is good because at least then she will have a home visit and they will give her advice about the care an animal needs if she goes to a rescue.

I think it must be the time of year for it, the weather gets nice and people start spending a bit of time in the garden and they think 'oh yes an animal would be nice in the garden' without thinking of the rest of the year when it is raining and horrid outside and the poor animal still needs lots of care and attention.
 
Bexiboo said:
This was my reply to her, I didn't want to sound too snippy.....
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just from what you wrote it seems you fit in perfectly here;)my rescue from piggies were breeders so none from bored kids but my ratties were the result of a child getting bored well a 15 year old kid anyway,it makes me very angry especially when people just say they would take anything like that almost like they don't realise how different rabbits,piggies and dogs are!
goodluck with trying to open there eyes xxxxx
 
I'm a firm believer in that pain-in-the-butt mantra

"If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet."

Really, if the poster of the ad can't afford to pay £300 for a puppy, how on earth does she think she'll be able to pay for raising a puppy. I'm assuming a free puppy won't come pre vaccinated/wormed/toilet trained/trained, and all of these things cost.

It costs to have a puppy vaccinated.
It costs to toilet train a puppy.
It costs to train a puppy and set up playdates and social events so your puppy will grow into a stable relaxed dog as an adult.
It costs to buy the equipment/chews and replace furniture chewed by a teething puppy.
It costs a damned lot more than £300 to vet a dog with many vets charging a consultation fee as you walk into the room!

Goodness!

And why on earth does she was a bunny or a guinea pig - these animals are two completely different types of animals with different requirements and characteristics. Is not just a pic-n-mix of which you'd like once you've got the cage. Guinea pigs are a bother to look after, especially when ill and bunnies get grumpy and need speutered before they decide to pee everywhere.

How rude!
 
see how she likes my doggy vet problems i would like to see her want a dog with what i have spent in the last yearrolleyes

1.Hooch-one possible broken foot due to rough playing with another dog-200 pounds for xray and consultations

2.Bruiser-finding out i have and epileptic dog who i thought was healthy-fortnightly consults-25 pounds each visit

3.Molly-one broken jaw from a fall-600 pounds for 6 weeks of checkups/meds/surgery and lots of me nursing her and giving up alot of my own time.

4.OH put the car wondow down a little to much and Molly jumped out hitting the road-200 pounds vet care/meds

5.Hooch's allergic reactions to dog food-150 pounds of vet visits and shots

6 Molly and hooch running together and hooch ran over molly hooch being 75kg and molly 14kg-molly 2 days stay in vets/pain meds/ and long term arthritis for which she needs sasha's blend that costs another 20 pounds a month.

admittidly this is for 3 dogs but its 2040 pounds!all of these things were pure accidents and a case of and in the car case OH not knowing much about how dogs can fit through small spaces,but it can happen to anyone.If this person isnt willing to spend this sort of money then its not worth buying the animal,and if they think smaller animals are any different Boris my Guinea pig who recently passed cost around 1000-1500 pounds for his 3 months he was sick so no animal is cheap.I seriously hope they reconsider buying an animal or at least research thouroughly and save properly first.let us know how you go with it x
 
Some time ago, I did light into someone who said she was thinking of getting guinea pigs for her 4 and 7 year old daughters as it would be a good way of "teaching them responsibility." I think I said, "no, surely that's YOUR job, not for a defenceless animal, and it will be YOUR job to do everything the animal needs to stay safe and well, not your kids."

I'm usually not so direct or abrasive, but the casualness of the comment really got up my nose.
 
I do not like the way the post was written, due to it sounding like "anything will do" so i personally do not think this person is ready for ANY pet...BUT.. We were looking for guinea pigs and/or rabbits in an ad mag, we wanted both, but had read up on exactly what they needed etc..ive always had bunnies, but never had piggies before these. I did ask free as i didnt want a breeder. Wanted to "rescue" but offered money for hutch/cage. As it happened i got my first 2 from the local rescue anyway
For a dog, i have seen a one i would love but at £350 i cant afford it.. Again, i have always had dogs, and since losing naz, the home feels empty without him. The reason as my partner explained we can not fford the £350 at the mo, is we had to shell out a lot on vets fees lately for our brood, as well as the cremation costs for naz (£100) Then with the vaccinations, and puppycare, we worked out another £500 for first year (thats vaccs and payplan) It is more than we can afford at this moment. Next month tor two hings should start picking up again
Just felt that because a lot of you are on my facebook, and had seen that i wanted the dog for £350 and couldnt afford it, i wanted to explain why not everyone can.. There are also a lot of dogs free to good homes about, and we are always saying do not pay if you are "rescuing"
In this case I do not think the person should be "given" any animal, but lots of people advertise for a free dog as they have the love to give, but cant afford the initial expense, but would be cared for, and go to vets etc..
sorry! I'm rambling lol x
 
hi welcome to the forum :) :) :):)p ,it also really annoys me when people think they should buy there young children a pet and not consider that they will have to take the responsibility when the child gets 'fed up' of it.
my mum got me 2 guinea pigs when I was seven(now 12) and i have looked after them I now have goldfish ,2 cats ,1 hamster ,1 rabbit and 6 piggies :) whereas i know someone my age who got a piggie less than a year ago and in half that, is already bored of it ! sorry to ramble( :)) ) rolleyes
 
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