I feel horrible, what can I do?

Question

The home we have been renting for the last 2 and a half years is now in foreclosure. We have a LARGE pit bull/lab mix. Most of the places we have looked into renting will not accept a dog that large or have breed restrictions and purchasing a home is not an option for us right now. We have a friend, who has watched the dog for us before who would love to have him. The dog is crazy about him and he lives in a house with lots of land and kids to play with, so I know he would be happy and well taken care of. The thing is I just feel rotten about giving him up. We have had him since he was a puppy and I feel like I am abandoning him and shirking my responsibility as a pet owner. Please help!!

Answer 1

Don't feel bad. You are in a time crunch and finding a place that will accept your dog is extremely difficult. It is a HUGE issue all over the country right now, and many homeowners are facing putting their pets in shelters because of foreclosures, in combination with no pet policies, breed restrictions, and dog size restrictions. I know there is a very big problem here in Staten Island, as over 1400 homes have been foreclosed on, and just about every apartment has a no pet, or no pit bull policy. Many people are being forced to give up their precious animals.

You are very lucky that your friend is willing take your dog in. Most people don;t have that luxury. At least he is going to a home, where people love him, and not being put in a shelter, with a 99.9% chance of being euthanized. Maybe you can even keep looking for a new place, after moving, that will accept your dog.

Good luck

Answer 2

just keep looking..

do you have a family member who could take the dog until you find a place that allows dogs?

Answer 3

uh you shouldnt give up your dog, its apart of your family. anyway adopt the dog to a good home and never own an animal again since you cant seem to consider it apart of them family. its not fair to the animal

Answer 4

At least if your friend has the dog, you can still have contact with it.  You might make a deal with your friend to watch the dog until you do find a place that allows dogs, but make a contract and set a time limit.  

Answer 5

You are doing what is best for him. This happened with me. I gave him to my friend who lived 1 hour away form me. O would visit once or twice a week. Don't worry it will be okay/.

Answer 6

well you could always go visit your dog very frequently or take the dog back.  because your dog will definitely miss you.  or just find a place that does accept pets.  we are having the same problem right now... although our dog is 8 pounds and quite tiny... but keep looking online for places to live because a lot of htem accept pets.  :) hope this was helpful

Answer 7

you are abandoning him ad shirking your responsibilities. when you got the dog you made a commitment. now you have to keep your end of the bargain. there have got to be some place that will let you have to dog and if not you need to look harder.  

Answer 8

if there's a deadline you have to meet and get out of the house you're renting, ask your friend if the dog can stay with him temporarily.  then you can sign a short term lease (6 or 9 mos) at an apt that doesn't allow dogs, and spend that time looking for a place that does allow your dog.  it will be hard to be without your dog but you can visit him and in the end hopefully you can find a good place to live with him.

Answer 9

dont give her up. find a place that allowes it or lie and say there is not pit in it. its so dumb that poeople discriminate against breeds. i know tons of chows and shiit that are way meaner then anypit ive been around

Answer 10

You need to do what is best for the dog. Sounds like your friend would give your dog a good home and he would have plenty of room to run. Maybe later if you find your own place you and your friend can work something out and you can get your dog back. Personally, I would rather give it to a friend instead of a shelter. That way you can check on him and see him when you can.

Answer 11

I completely understand your situation, as other answerers may try to make you feel like crud, just remember, it's NOT YOUR FAULT the homeowner allowed the house to be in foreclosure, and I completely understand the breed restrictions issue.  This happened to me several months ago, I moved from one state (non breed restricted) to a state that was clearly anti-pitbull.

It was either rehome my dogs, or be homeless, and trust me, you're no good to your animals homeless, apparently some people have never had to rehome a dog, so they're completely ignorant about the issues here.

I would rehome your dog if you truly can't find a place with him.  Is he obviously part pit?  Can you get away with calling him just a lab mix, or a lab/dane mix or something?  Maybe your friend will foster him for a few months until you can locate a place??

Best of luck !  I hope all goes well for you, just remember, it's not your fault and you're not alone.  Rehoming an animal is the most SELFLESS thing you could do.  Though some people may say otherwise.

It's not like you're dumping him off because he's too big, or he slobbers too much.  You're about to go into the hole!!!!  You have to take care of yourself first!

Answer 12

I know it's tuff. There is nothing anyone can tell you that you don't already know. I believe you are trying everything in your power to keep  your dog and I wish you the best of luck.