Would you give up your pet? Would you ever try to sell them?
By jesssp
@jesssp (2712)
Canada
October 21, 2009 4:03pm CST
If you were moving or your situation changed drastically would you ever be able to give your pet away? Would you ever consider actually trying to profit from it by selling them?
I was just checking out puppies for sale on Kijiji and it made me sad to see all the ads trying to find homes for pets people could no longer keep. It does bother me that people get pets, then realize they can't handle them or afford them and then have to get rid of them, but I can understand how it would sometimes have to happen. I realize that sometimes life takes a sharp turn and it would be in the animal's best interest to have a new home (although I do think that people take the easy way out with pets far too often). But what I couldn't believe was how many ads there were for animals who needed a new home but the owners were trying to SELL them rather than give them away!
I could not imagine being in the position of having to give a pet away but selling them seems so cold hearted. Some of the pets were well past puppies too, one was a 3.5 year old dog and they were asking $1000! Pets are supposed to become part of your family; they aren't like a TV or a car that you can just slap on the classifieds to make a few bucks when you need cash.
Do you think this is right, would you ever considering trying to SELL your PET?
6 people like this
28 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Oct 09
I consider my pets members of the family and it would take a lot for me to give any of them up. That said, if I were in a situation where I absolutely could not keep them, I would do whatever I could to find them new homes. If I had to give them to a shelter, I would make sure it was a no kill shelter that would try everything to find them a home. I would not sell them under any circumstances.
1 person likes this
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
24 Oct 09
I understand that there are situations that force one to part with their pet(s), but I can't see me ever doing that. My cats get on my nerves at times, but they're all like members of the family. I could never give them away or sell them for any amount of money.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Oct 09
Actually, jesssp..putting a price, a reasonable one at that, when you have no choice but to give up your pet, will better assure they get a decent home instead of landing up in a laboratory or becoming a bait dog to train dogs for dog-fighting. It's not 100% guarantee but a lot better odds than just giving your beloved pet away. I have sold small animals before but only because they weren't being properly taken care of by my daughter or if I just didn't have the time to take proper care myself. I, however, only put a modest price on them and included lots of supplies as well. I also made follow-up phone calls to assure they are being cared for properly. I also stress the fact that if they ever decide to give the animal up, that I would take it back and return what they paid for the animal as well. If I was to lose my home, my current animals...3 cats and 1 dog..will all live in the car with me one way or another being I'm just too attached to be able to find new homes for them.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
They say that if a person is willing to pay for a pet, they will take care of them. Maybe that's what those people are thinking?
I know a lot of people are selling or giving away their beloved pets because they have reached the bottom of the barrel and can barely feel themselves, let along a dog or cat or other pet. It must hurt horribly to have to say goodbye to a pet just because of money problems. More and more people are doing it, the shelters are full and some shelters are no longer accepting pets.
Last year I would have accused these people of money mismanagement but by now, many of them who have saved and done everything right are running on financial fumes.
I think by asking a price for them they are trying to insure they get good homes. If they are asking for more than $50-100 then they need the money desperately.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
22 Oct 09
OMG, $1000?! I guess you are right about them wanting to make money if your economy is still doing alright.
Selling my beloved dogs would be almost as painful as selling my children. I can't conceive of how people like this think, they are so alien to me. 
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Oct 09
jesssp have you ever really really been in the position of needing every penny you could get for anything to keep
rent paid or utilities or what ever,or been evicted
and need money, so yes if I had a pure bred dog I would
sell it for what it cost me originally as I would
be in desperate straits.I can see this happening in this
very bad economy with men losing jobs and not getting rehired
for months.That is what tore my little two person family: me in a retirement center, my son now in a gov.sponsored apt so he and the three roommates could have an address so they could hunt for jobs.
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
21 Oct 09
I haven't ever been in that situation and I hope I never am but if I was I still don't think I could sell a pet. I could sell just about any other possession but I consider my pets part of the family. Giving them away to good homes would be hard enough, but selling them would just feel dirty.
@karthik_frankfin (31)
• India
21 Oct 09
I have a pet dog in my house. And even if someone is ready to afford me millions i will never ever give my dog. It is like one of my family member. People who sell their pets for cash are just barbarians who dont have any humanity and dont know what love is. It is always pleasant to have a pet around you who always bugs you and wakes you up from a deep sleep by licking you.
1 person likes this
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
22 Oct 09
I would never ever try and sell my pet...she is my baby!!!! I've found out that she may be WORTH 1,000+ dollars...and that does not change my answer.
If I moved, she'd move with me...there is no situation that would make me try to sell my cat. She'd come before anything--and if I HAD to, I have a lot of family and friends around me that could take her for a bit, while I get whatever's going on straightened out.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
27 Oct 09
That's a very good question, jessp. It breaks my heart when I think about all the pets that need good homes. I have a houseful of cats. I adore them all. I would NEVER, EVER, EVERY sell, give away or in anyway part with my kitties. They are my love. They are my family. Just reading some of the responses to this discussion shows that many people feel the same.
If a circumstance should arise where someone HAD to give up a pet, I believe they should find a good home and GIVE the pet away NOT SELL him/her.
I could never do that. I would have to die first. I've even talked to my best friend who agreed to take care of my feline family if something should happen to me.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
23 Oct 09
I would give my pet away. I had to actually. It turned out our cat made my daughter's asthma really act up. A sad time for us really. I would never try to make money off of them. It's like selling a family member.
@aabuda (1722)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
I define pet as someone that you love. So definitely, I will never ever try to sell my pets to other people. In our family, our pets are considered members of the family. We treat them as "someone" and not just "something". Hope that each and everyone of us will do the same....
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
25 Oct 09
nope and never will.in fact,I want to have a farm house that can accommodate lots of animals.I would buy a farm house once I have enough funds for it.I cannot give up a pet.I would rather give up a fancy apartment if I can't bring my pet in it.having pets is actually one of the reasons why I want to have lots of money.I would like to have lots of dogs,cats,hamsters,guinea pigs, and farm animals.
@tundeemma (894)
• South Africa
22 Oct 09
i dont have pet in the first instance not that i hate pets but i dont want to have a pet that i will neglect after sometime, i will like to have a pet that will stay forever, its a pity top see many dogs and cats roaming the street all because their owners have neglected them.
@Clicker625 (196)
• United States
4 Nov 09
I have had to give up pets before but I have never sold one. I don't think I'd ever consider selling a pet. It's hard enough to give them up to a good home. I don't even like the idea of selling pets for high prices. In my opinion, that practice puts a pet into the category of being an investment rather than a special new member of a family.
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
22 Oct 09
i'd never give up my pet-selling or otherwise.
i'd sell everything first.i've seen a few on craiglist people are adding a $500 "rehoming fee" on to skirt the rules.$35,maybe.but not $500.
i'm taking in 2 next month for a person loosing their home.
i'm seeing more and more older pets at the shelter,it's very sad.
a lot of the local breeders are making the problem worse by dumping litters of puppies no one can afford right now.
a lot of the local breeders are making the problem worse by dumping litters of puppies no one can afford right now.
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
i would rather give them away to my relatives. i have so many relatives and friends who like pets. and if i were in that situation that i had to part away with pets, it would be them to whom my pets go. i give them to my relatives because they are people i know quite well. i will make sure my pets will be cared for the way i did or even better.
@etheljane (15)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
no i would never consider giving up my pet. i have a golden lab, he's buddy 1year and 1 month. i love him and i would never give him up.
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Hi jesssp!
Of course i would not sell my pets we treat them like humans. In my country some people eat dogs. Dog meat are sold in the market or sold alive. They should be reported to proper authorities. There are organizations working towards the protection of animals who could give sunctions.
I have grown up with pets at home and i love having pets. I had dogs, cats, hamsters are lovable pets too,and love birds. My parents love pets also but there was an instance where we have to transfer to an apartment where pets are not allowed. That time i have a japanese spitz (dont know if my spelling is correct)and he was so attached to me. When i am sick he is also sick. When i'm sad he curls at my lap and lick my hands. He seems comforting me. So you can imagine how painful it is for me to give him away. Good thing my sister volunteered to adopt him and i was able to visit him once in a while. At present i dont have any pet but how i wish i could have pets again.
@daqiuqu (16)
• China
22 Oct 09
i have 4 turtles & some othe little pets, it's funny when i play with them, once if i have to rid of them, i think i will ask all my friends if there is someone who wants to have them as pets,
but i haven't been in so bad position that i must sell my pets for money, i don't know what i'll do, for now i think i won't sell my pets anyway
