I think that you may be jumping to conclusions about why these people want to find other homes for these animals. In the first posting, for example, I'm thinking that there are now kids in the household and the owner is worried about possible problems (which can happen with any type of dog, you know). And it appears that the owner may also realize that this is the type of dog that some disrespectful person might try to get to breed to create, perhaps, fighting dogs. I don't think there's anything selfish or greedy about that.

If the two people posting these listings were really 'throwing their pet away,' would they go to the bother of placing a CL ad? Or would they just dump the pet somewhere across town or at the local shelter, saying that they just couldn't take care of it anymore? Those are surely more convenient options and less time-consuming than vetting potential new owners.

I also think you have a bias against purebreds that isn't warranted when commenting about these two ads. Some people choose to buy a purebred rather than taking a shelter dog or any other dog. Purebreds with AKC lineage are valued by people interested in keeping the breeding look pure. Whether you value that or not really has no bearing on these ads. (Also, don't think that going to a shelter to adopt a cat or dog doesn't require you to fill out paperwork and abide by their rules for where you keep the pet and how--or how not--you care for the pet. Some of the shelters have as many restrictions as purebred breeders.)

I'm not saying that there aren't people in this world who don't fully consider the ramifications of owning a pet before they get one. But you're making a pretty big leap here. You have a right to your opinion and to vent, to be sure, but I'm sure there are worse CL listings out there (like maybe one that reads 'Dog kept getting out, now have 5 puppies. $50 each.')

These listings seem to be ok to me. I would rather someone seek a good, permanent home than to see the animal just go to someone else to get it off their hands. People willing to pay to adopt an animal are more likely to be the forever owners.

And seeking references is a good idea...a responsible pet owner will see to it their pet goes to a suitable home. When I adopted Max, I had to fill out a long questionaire, have a meet and greet, and home visit! He'd been 'dumped' on CL and rescued by an organization. Aurora, my newest dog was a CL dump...they wanted only $20 'rehoming' fee and my son's ex-gf picked her up...only to give her up (to me) when she realized she couldn't handle the dog.

Sorry, but this is MY rant...irresponsible pet owners. I do not think anyone but licensed, regulated breeders should be allowed to own intact animals. I believe ALL pets should be spayed/neutered and that ANYONE who gets a pet needs to be thoroughly vetted prior to having the animal released to them. What gets my goat is the idiots who are sitting on the side of the road selling their 'purebred' puppies. My DH paid $300 for Zelda, the seller said she was purebred, we didn't care about lineage (we didn't get papers) just that we were getting a sweet pup. He'd have paid $1000 for her...but to us, just to have a pet we don't care about bloodlines. We're not showing or using our pets in sport/competition. For those purposes, I'd want papered, from a reputable breeder, but for any other pet, I don't see a reason to pay for a good pet that is a rescue or to be rehomed.

Many people who are "in the know" charge "rehoming" or "adoption" fees to keep away the "bunchers" who sift through the ads looking for "free to good home". "Bunchers" collect dogs and cats until they have enough to sell them to a licensed animal dealer for all sorts of unpleasant things.

re: the "needs to be with ADULTS only NO CHILDREN"... I think that's likely dang smart - just like humans, some dogs just don't particularly like kids. Our dog is fear-aggressive toward children despite a great deal of retraining and socialization work (the children of his previous scumbag owner essentially tortured him) so he is simply kept away from children. The shelter from which we adopted him would not have turned him over to someone with children - and yes, we had to fill out an application, they checked references, and paid a pretty stiff fee - because he showed a very distinct aversion to children.

We didn't give a d@mn about AKC papers but we did choose a purebred dog so we had SOME predictability as to general personality traits (no guarantees, obviously), eventual size, etc. I've known an awful lot of "surprises" (like the teeny puppy that was expected to grow to maybe beagle size given ear, paw, and muzzle size, and turned out more like a Saint Bernard) and I'll be honest, I don't believe in the "if you really really love dogs, you'll love whatever you get" spiel. Our boy WAS a shelter dog - started out as an "AKC registered puppy" (via puppy mill) at a pet store.

Regarding the cat from the humane society... isn't it the norm to return the animal to the shelter from which it was obtained? I remember I had to sign paperwork to that effect whenever I've adopted from the shelter.

I've had to rehome two animals in my life. "Throwing them away" was the LAST thing on my mind and I resent the assumption that it was simply for convenience's sake. It broke my heart to do it - I still miss them - but my other option was living on the street. (I didn't even have a car to live in, and the homeless shelters did not permit animals, even though most of the human residents were probably more vermin-infested than your average street dog/cat.)

I have had labs all of my adult life. I've always gone to the same breeder (so happy to have found one) reputable who sells her dogs with a LIMITED registration. The limitation means, for those who aren't dog owners, that you cannot breed your dog to sell the puppies as pure bred. You sign an agreement that you will neuter your pet. Sure, you don't have to neuter, but if you breed, you won't be getting any registration from AKC in order to make amateur money. I've stayed with my breeder for that particular limitation as I feel it is responsible, but I stay for so many other reasons, much too long to list. I know what I am getting when I get a dog from my breeder. I know the conditions under which she raises her dogs. She breeds only black and yellow labs, which means she has an important and very detailed education about exactly how to achieve those genes only. No chocolates ever.

As far as the CL listing: If I had to rehome one of my pets for some reason, say DH & I lose our income and can't afford to properly care for our pets, you bet I would be very careful and responsible as to whom I'd be giving my pets. Sometimes, life throws you a curve ball and you have no choice but to rehome a pet.

Yes, it does bother me that some petowners feel that pets are a disposable commodity. Infuriates me. In my family, when you bring a pet home, it is a lifetime of the pet commitment. A commitment which includes yearly well visits with the vet, preventative meds (heartworm, etc.), vet care and medications when/if the pet appears to be ill or injured. Good food, plenty of water, exercise, toys and most of all, full time love and as much attention as possible.

So many petowners are facing unprecedented economic times that have changed the fabric of their lives. A pet acquired 5 years ago, was not under the current economy.

The shelters are full and more. They always have been overcrowded. Talk to someone you know that volunteers at your local shelter. People are surrendering pets in numbers never seen before. They can no longer properly take care of them.

While I don't like that many people have to surrender a pet, I acknowledge that it is a big sign of the times.

The above CL listings seem very responsible to me. These people aren't "throwing their pets away" . They are trying to utilize CL to find them homes. Do I think a person has a right to find the best home possible
for a pet they can no longer keep, yes I do.

I admire them for trying to find their pet another home as opposed to disgarding the pet in an open field, or just stopping at the local shelter with the pet, bowls and whatever food they have left in the house.

You bet I am going GRRR, but not for the same reason.

I haven't read all the comments above, but it doesn't sound like they are throwing them away. Asking for references means they want them to go to good homes. Who knows why the first ad needs to rehome their dog - maybe they cannot afford to keep it any longer or have recently added a child to their home.

I remember reading in the paper a year or so ago about many having to give up family pets due to lost jobs, moving from house to apartment, etc. It would break my heart if we had to find homes for any of our pets.

At least they are not dumping them on the street.

I used to read the CL animals postings almost daily and I just can't do it anymore. On occasion I've tried to help people find new homes and answer questions. I've even told some people off. I've seen some crazy, noncaring reasons to get rid of animals. I do realize not everyone has to write their long, sad story on CL but sometimes the noncaring attitude is pretty obvious.

I don't believe any of the above fit this, but classic new baby reason really bothers me. I know there are times that it just doesn't work and of course you need to keep your kids safe - be responsible and find your pet a new good home but sometimes I think people just overreact before anything even happens. "Oh, no I had a baby - get rid of the animal."

"...the CL pet section" almost daily. Animal postings sounds kind of odd.

Sorry, but this is MY rant...irresponsible pet owners. I do not think anyone but licensed, regulated breeders should be allowed to own intact animals. I believe ALL pets should be spayed/neutered

I agree with this. It's a fabulous idea.

What is it about animals that makes people so selfish? I don't understand someone who can get a pet and then just get rid of it with little or no thought.

When my daughter was a year old we got a female German Shepherd. She had papers, came from the Amish in PA. She was a beautiful dog & very much loved.

When I had ex removed from the house, I did my best to support her & my 2 kids but just couldn't do it. I used to beg my ex to take her; he was being spiteful & refused. I had my attorney write it in the divorce agreement; which my ex agreed to but he still refused to take her.

I struggled for 2 years to keep her but it wasn't happening. Thankfully shelters were getting online back then, I was able to find a German Shepherd Rescue; but they would not accept her file/papers. It still breaks my heart all these years later that I couldn't keep her.

folkvictorian, you are absolutely right about people throwing away their pets. Millions do it everyday and I cannot go near Craigs list or I go nuts reading ad after ad written by some irresponsible jerk who took an animal with no regard for its' life for the next 10-15 years or for however long it would live. To those people animals are disposable.

Those ads you point out are very disturbing. The one who adopted from a shelter is in direct violation of their contract because when you adopt from a shelter or a rescue organization you are obligated to return the animal to them for rehoming. It's unfortunate shelters can't do thorough screenings and they also can't eliminate as many people as potential adopters as a private adopter would require. This is the reason so many animals adopted from shelters end up without a home within the first year of their adoption.

I realize that sometimes is it absolutely necessary to find a home for an animal that someone can no longer care for, but most of the time, like these 2, who clearly have not stated it is a necessity, just dispose of them because they are too lazy and/or unwilling to take the time the animal needs or spend the money to care for it.

When I hear people say they have to get rid of an animal because they are moving and the new place doesn't accept animals, my question is, then why don't you find a place that does? I know why they don't, because it takes time to find that right place.

I also love the one, my new fiance' doesn't like it. Well, my advice is, get rid of the fiance' now because if you marry him you'll be wishing you had not traded your dog/cat for him.

I've worked as an animal adoption counselor for 25 years and have heard every excuse for people wanting to dump their animals. The one that took the award for stupidity was the family who walked in the shelter one day with their current pet, turned it in at the front desk and proudly said, we don't want this one anymore because the kids don't like it. We want to adopt a new one. Needless to say they didn't get a new one from that shelter.

When people are so willing to give up a pet for some lame reason, the first question in my mind is, would you give up your child for that reason also?

As far as I'm concerned, when you adopt an animal, just like when you make the decision to have a child, it is your responsibility for life. Now if you can't take care of it, then find it a better life, but don't just throw it away because it is too much trouble and you are too lazy to deal with it.

What is wonderful to see and is happening around the country is shelters doing a better job of educating potential animal owners about the responsibility and expense of owning a pet. Some people are truly ignorant and don't have a clue, but unfortuantely it's the majority that do that upset me.

I couldn't agree with you more greatgolly, but I also feel for the children of those cretinous parents.

I don't know, reading between the lines on the first one it sounds to me like the people had the dog, had a baby and now are having problems with the dog and child. Before I had a child I would not have understood but now that I have one... I know this won't go over well with people who don't have kids but who do have pets but, my child comes first. Before having a child I might have equated kids and pets but after having an actual child I see that is not really the case.

We have a 13 year old cat who has NOT adapted well AT ALL to the "baby" (who is over 2 years old now). My oldest cat died while I was pregnant and he was really "off" behaviorally for a while after that (they were companions his whole life) and since the baby came, he has developed an annoying habit of showing his displeasure by pooping on the rug in the hallway. And it's a disgusting, liquidy, FORCED poop. And yes, sometimes we miss it and step in it (or the baby steps in it) and track it all over the house before we realize it. And yes, we have spent HUNDREDS at the vet trying to make sure nothing is wrong with him... done the multiple litterbox thing and are fanatical about keeping them ALL clean... but all they have for us is "give him more attention." (my husband works from home and he spends most of the day on my husband's lap or desk so I am not sure how much more attention we can possibly give him... he gets as much or more than before).

I WISH I could rehome this cat because it is clear that he is just not happy with a kid in the house and never will be... but who the heck is going to take a 13 year old cat, let alone one with an "Inappropriate elimination" problem? So I've resigned myself to being vigilant about checking for cat $hit every day for the next god knows how many years and still missing a few and ending up having to scrape it out of my shoes, or from between my toes if I am walking barefoot and lots of sanitizing. But I am not happy about it and HE's clearly not happy here either, and I would give him up to a new home in a new york minute if someone wanted him.

So after dealing with my own issues I'm a lot more tolerant of other people and their issues. And I have to tell you that if I had a dog (no matter WHAT the breed) who got aggressive with my child, that dog would be out of my house in a NY minute too, no questions asked. Some dogs just do not DO kids and not only is it stupid and dangerous to have that kind of situation brewing in your own house, it's not fair to the dog either... who will react aggressively and probably end up being put down for it. I think the far smarter and more humane thing to do is to re-home the animal somewhere where it will be happy and not a threat to anyone.

My "mother" used to feed wild cats. If they were able to gain their trust, they would take them to be fixed. When our 2 cats passed; my dad didn't want any more stray cats brought in; but she managed to bring in 2 or 3. When they moved; she just stopped feeding the strays there, I don't know what came of them. The mother had feline Leukemia & was nasty. She used to get pregnant often. The last time my dad tried to get her (to get fixed) she scratched him really bad. He was diagnosed with cancer (Leukemia) a few weeks later; which made him leary of going near any of the cats she brought in the house. The one that scratched him was positive for FL & my dad swore he got it from the cat; which I know he did not.

When he came home from his month chemo stay; he wanted the cats gone while he had no immune system. We were told by the cancer center that they carry a mite that could be deadly to him with his type of cancer. I did everything I could to find temporary housing; so that when he got better (or passed) she could have her cats back. No one would take the one that tested positive for FL. I called every cat agency I could find.

Neither cat was nice either; didn't like people, wouldn't even go near my dad before he got sick.

OT - roslvr - I see you have mentioned your "mother" in alot of posts always in quotes. Is "mother" a step mom, just curious about the quotes.

She was never a mother to me. Parents "marriage" was bad, she cheated a lot; he refused to divorce her cause he said he'd lose everything. When he got cancer; she didn't want to care for him & and on the way to the funeral home to make arrangements, all she wanted to do was find a man for sex. It came out that he may not be my bio-dad so we did a DNA test on his deathbed (passed 2 hours later & he is my dad) Haven't spoken since he passed. That's the short version lol

roselvr - I am so sorry. I had no idea, thought she was a step-monster or something. Wow, I now totally get the quotes when you use the word mother.

I agree some animals do not do well with change, especially older cats. Dogs are more accepting and you can make them understand change, but cats, it's more difficult.

lisa, I'm glad you are sticking it out with your guy and understand fully your frustration of the matter. Owning a pet sometimes is inconvient or more difficult then we first thought, but the responsible thing to do, when in reason, is to find a way to make it work.

I would never advocate a dangerous dog with a child. I don't even adopt to people with small children for the children's safety as well as the pet's.

When I see people taking photo's of their known breed that is capable of killing a child, along side their infant or toddler, I see red. Being ignorant will get a child killed and an animal put to sleep. Plain and simple.