Too many pets

Aepgirl I note you found it, quote, 'quite odd' ??? on noting the number of ' tall' men' ??walking small dogs on 'long leads'.
Would you have found it 'quite odd'??? were it have been 'tall' women'?? walking small dogs on 'long leads' ?

I think owning a dog should mean a compulsory course in dog care and training before earning a licence.

I agree with PECS. There are far too many pets around now. Have not got an issue with people who have one animal for companionship and I’m in no way anti animal, but people seem not to be content with one animal these days, they have to have several dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens whatever. Research has proven that cats are happier in a home without other cats yet the owners seem to think they have to have several for ‘company’ for the cat. If the owners don’t have the time to provide the company the pet needs, they shouldn’t get one imo.

Some people just don't look at the cost it is to keep a dog,they just go out on a whim and buy one which may be fashionable or the must have breed.
There is the vets fee's for injections and check ups these have to be repeated every year to keep up to date,I always wonder how many don't even bother with these.
When we lived abroad every year we had to take our dog to be vaccinated and a different coloured tag would be given stamped with the date for us to attach to her collar so if ever we where stopped with her for any reason we could prove she was registered.
elleks Your neighbour should not be breeding to sell it is now an offence if she doesn't have the correct licence and she can be heavily fined,I would inform RSPCA if it where my neighbour without a second thought,if she is so irrisponsible about breeding she will not care who buys the puppies they could go on to be mistreated by future owners and end up in rescue centres.

I live with my carer and between us we have 8 cats, all microchipped and free-range! We have lost a couple due to a speeding driver but as they generally go out of the back of the house, where it's all allotments and fields, they are as safe as possible. Most of them were indoor cats previously and they obviously much prefer it outside - one is currently tearing about in the wind outside, chasing leaves, which she brings in with much howling as prey. We could not be without them. We c,t go very far as I am in a wheelchair and we have no car and the buses all stop at 5pm, so really, they are our only company. All are spoiled rotten with strokes, games and sleeping on our beds, none are pedigree.
We know of one really, really stupid woman who was approached about three years ago as she was sitting on a bench in our local town. A shady, scruffy bloke (whom we had seen about many times, looking for just such an opportunity,y approached her and told her a sob story about this (definitely NOT) pedigree shitzu puppy he was desperately trying to rehome after the owners had died. Idiot woman fell for this and, despite us warning her, telling her and finally screaming at her, paid £600 for this mutt. Vet checks showed said dog to be at least 3, had had at least one litter and was not spayed as he had said...she now takes it for walks in a dog pram and the bloke is still selling 'puppies with deceased owners; I saw him on Thursday.

Agnurse... it’s also ‘safer’ to keep children at home and locked in with mummy,but that would be criminal as they need to learn ‘life skills’ ....as does your cat. Both need to take their chances in this world whether in Canada , England or Botswana . Your cat is in prison.

I have two rescue cats who have to be indoor cats due to the illness one now has thanks to the ratbag they had to live with before being taken into the Rescue.
They are healthy as possible now though lost all their teeth & show no inclination to go outside & 'roam free'!
It is no longer safe for cats to go outdoors thanks to the idiots who set their dogs on them, shoot them, run them over deliberately & hurt them for fun! So cats unless in a very safe area should be indoor cats now sad as it is!

I had dogs all my adult life, rescued, bred and purchased. however I now live in sheltered accomodation and we are not allowed any pets at all, such a shame, in the 29 flats here only one of them has a couple living in it, all the rest are single people. I for one would love the companionship of a dog. I don't dislike cats but have an allergy to their fur, but would not be allowed a cat either.

I have a rescue parakeet, Parrot and dog. Some family and friends berate me for having the birds.... They should fly! And I totally agree. Birds should fly. They should not be captured or bred to keep as pets. But they are! And then discarded when they don't suit. Parrots can live until they are 80 and are demanding as a 2 year old. All too often they are abandoned in the first 5 years. We don't know the history of my birds. Only that the parrot was depressed and had shut down. 12 years later she is great, but she should be out flying in the amazon! The parakeet came with 2 broken wings and missing toes. He will never again fly. But he gets around and loves singing his heart out. Our little dog had 4 homes before coming to us at 14 months! Severe anxiety and behavior challenges. The first 2years we questioned our decision, we have had dogs in the past. But we wouldn't be without her now and she is very loving. If people didn't breed and import then the rescue and foster homes would not be needed. But many will not consider a rescue animal but choose to support the breeders and importers by paying large amounts. I might add that we are the only ones that adopt, the other 7 dog owners in my family who condemn us all purchase 'bred' dogs as they are better!?

I totally agree with AllTheLs

Everyone probably knows one of THOSE breeders elleks sadly .

I love dogs but know that I am too busy to have one full-time. However I do look after friends’ dogs when they are on holiday. This works well - I get to have a dog to look after, the owners know their dog is being looked after, and the dog is happy not being in kennels.

I have noticed recently the number of very tall men walking tiny dogs (very long leads!). I find this quite odd.

Buying my grandson a dog was the best decision the family made.

I'd rather not live if I couldn't have my pets.

I believe that EVERYONE should need a licence to breed a litter of dogs . Not just ‘serious’ breeders but more importantly the woman next door who has a poor quality , bad tempered dog with none of the necessary qualities to pass on to her offspring and who is really breeding to make money , nothing more nothing less.
Do you know my NDN? She bought 3 Jack Russells (I male 2 female) to breed. Several litters later she rehomed the dog & 1 bitch because she 'couldn't cope with them'

Cats should have the right to their freedom (although I swear when they poo in my garden) I still think it’s so cruel to keep them inside If there are areas in Canada where your cat is unsafe outside then you don’t have a cat Agnurse
Cats should roam
Dogs should keep their tails, ears, not be bred to ‘ not breathe’ and not kept in crates and cats need their claws, bugger the furniture
Birds should not be kept in cages they should be free
I hate the modern trend of breeding mongrels with fancy names and charging the earth for them
I have no pets now I have had plenty in the past but I see it has all gone way past having a little rescued companion (I couldn’t afford one now vet fees and insurance fees) into big big business and stupid trends

The thing is that if cats are roaming they are at risk for injury from vehicles and predators. This may be less of an issue in the UK, but there are areas here in Canada (e.g. in national parks) where it could be positively unsafe to let your pets roam outside. They could be attacked and even killed by wildlife. (There are town sites in the national parks and some people live there year-round. It is quite common to have wildlife, such as deer and even bears, come onto one's lawn.)

So do zoo animals.
I think cats should roam.

Cats do better when kept inside as it is safer.

My DS has two indoor cats and I just think it is a shame they never go outside.
DD has a Chow Chow. He is the most adorable dog and the gentlest. She researched the breed and found he was the best suited to their way of life.

We have three kitties, all rescues. One from the Humane Society, one from another rescue, and one from friends, though I still consider him a rescue as he was rejected by his mother and hand reared. (He promptly decided that I'm his mum.) All three are altered and are inside cats.

There are certainly many people who shouldn't have any sort of pet - hence the two rescue cats that live with me!

I have a small dog who I absolutely adore. I got her when she was nine weeks old. When she was three months old I started taking her to training classes. I took her once a week for 18 months. I now have got a lovely lovely well behaved dog. We have got an incredible bond between us. Our daily walks are ruined by irresponsible owners who allow their dogs to come bounding over to us and knock my dog flying. I think training classes should be compulsory to all new dog owners not only for the dogs but for owners as well.

The law changed on 1st October last year and has certainly tightened up on indiscriminate breeding and puppy farms. Lots of ex-breeding stock being dumped in the countryside I’ve been reading. Breeding bitches in particular dumped in awful condition many of which turn out to be stolen in the first case.

Firstly I think the law re microchipping ought to be enforced. It wouldn’t take much for local dog warden/community support officers etc to have a scanning day. There are simple handheld devices that give all details and these can be checked against the dog walker. Instant on-the-spot fines for non compliance with the law.

Responsible dog ownership is important too. Don’t take on a dog if you can’t commit to it or afford it. Too many think it might just be ‘a good idea’. No! It’s a 15 year commitment.

But dogs are life-savers and great companions in the right hands.

Megan123
I couldn't be without my little dog - he came to me via a Rescue (as have all my dogs). He is the light of my life, runs the home, makes me laugh all the time, and is so faithful.

Precisely ditto, Megan with my little cat.