Rehoming Rescued Animals: Advantages Vs Disadvantages

There are so many abandoned and unwanted animals in the UK for so many different reasons.

Those considering rescuing a dog must take into account they may have been abandoned for a reason. He or she may have behavioural problems as a result of inadequate training, loving and attention. They may have health problems that require veterinary treatment. Whatever problems this animal may have, you need to be prepared to take on these problems. You may need to work to gain the animals trust if it has been beaten, to pay for your pet to be neutered or microchipped.

We stress the word may as this is in extreme and infrequent circumstances. Many dogs are in need of rehoming due to their owners lifestyle changes, and through no fault of their own.

If you are considering taking on a rescue pet, do find out all the information you can about the animal and give full consideration as to whether you can cope with any "disadvantages" it may have.
A good caring rescue will lay it on the line and be both honest and truthful as to what problems you may face if you decide to take on a particular cat or dog.

I have taken in hundreds of dogs and cats in my career, but have only had to euthanise five dogs in thirteen years. All of these cases were due to behavoural problems involving dogs biting humans.
We cannot ethically rehome a dog that has bitten a human being.

Cats are usually in need of a new home for different reasons. Some cats are subject to a bad start in life, but it is usually the case that cats in shelters have ended up there for very different reasons.

It may be a result of an owner dying or going into residential care or moving abroad. It could be a relationship breakdown or a family member developing an allergy to cats or the addition of a baby to the family.

That is to say, the majority of cats needing rehoming are in need because of a variation of the above reasons, and not because they have behavioural problems. We reccomend you visit Cat Chat – the Cat Rescue Resource

What you are really doing when rescuing, is giving an animal which might have had a bad start in life, maybe terrible physical abuse, maybe neglect, a new life, a happpy life, with the care and love that every animal deserves, but many do not get.

To me, this is a huge advantage, and far outweighs any considered disadvantage. To integrate an animal into your family circly brings such happiness, in the realisation that, through sheer hard work you have given life to a loving animal who would otherwise have been destroyed.

Well worth the effort!