Melissa Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated January 1, 2014

Free To A Good Home

Rescue Help Needed ASAP!!!!!

Robyn Christensen, 1996

Please help! After two long years of being on a waiting list for an exotic rare breed dog, we were finally notified by the breeder that at long last, our number has come up, and... WE'RE HAVING A PUPPY!

We must IMMEDIATELY get rid of our children now, because we just KNOW how time consuming our new little puppy is going to be! Since our puppy will be arriving on Monday, we MUST place the children in new homes this weekend!!!

They are described as:

• One male, white, blonde hair, blue eyes. Four years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn't bite. Name is Tommy. Temperament tested. Current on all shots. Tonsils removed already and very healthy condition! Tommy eats everything, is very clean, house trained and gets along well with others. Does not run with scissors and with a little time and training, he will do well in a new home.

• One female, strawberry blonde hair, green eyes. Three years old. Can be surly at times. Non-biter, thumb sucker. Her name is Mary. Temperament tested, but needs a little attitude adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots, tonsils out, and is very healthy and happy (mostly.) Gets along well with little boys, but does not like to share toys. She is house trained, and would do best in a one child household.

We really LOVE our children, and want to do what is best for them. I hope you understand, that ours is a UNIQUE situation, and we have a real emergency here! They MUST be placed by Sunday night at the latest.

Robyn Christensen is the founder of New Jersey German Shepherd Rescue, Inc.

As first reading, this is a cute humor item, but the reality is that there are too many people who have a pet, and then when they decide to get another pet, they try to get rid of the first one. Reptile rescuers all too often get phone calls from people who want to get rid of their iguana (usually untamed, of course) because they are getting another pet. I'm sure rescuers of other types of animals get the same sorts of calls.

Before one gets a pet of any kind, be sure to do all the research. Don't just look at how much the animal costs, or even how much its equipment and housing costs. All people are not universally suited to dealing with all of the traits, requirements, issues and potential problems presented by all species. Talk to rescuers and societies/associations of the type of animal you are interested in getting and find out why, in their experience, people give them up. What would you do if faced with the same situations? Are you likely to be the cause of any of those situations arising to begin with (such as not having enough time to work with the animal to tame and socialize it; not enough money to buy the necessary equipment, appropriate housing, or health care; no match on animal temperament vs. human wants and needs; etc.)?

Giving an animal up should be a last resort action, based on unforeseen circumstances beyond your control or ability to change. Animals are not things to be disposed of like a toy that no longer interests your child, or a hobby that takes too much time.