A Word that is Wrongfully Taboo
Animal welfare has changed a lot in the last 20 years, and these changes have almost always been for the better.
But one thing that’s remained stubbornly the same is attitudes toward surrendering a pet. Too often what is one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching decisions a pet owner could make is wrongly seen as callous — a choice made out indifference, not compassion.
The consequences of this misconception are immediate and damaging for pets and the people who are struggling to care for them.
At the OHS, one of the unusual ways shame of surrendering manifests is people bringing their pet to the shelter and claiming their own pet is a stray. The trouble this causes is that we’re forced to wait, holding the pet for a possible owner to come forward. We also don’t have key information about the pet’s history that would support their care and adoption. The result is the pet waiting longer for adoption, and more pets waiting in the shelter.
It’s hard to pinpoint a person’s exact reason for veiling the truth about their pet. Certainly emotional distress has a role — someone who sees surrender as something to be ashamed of will have difficulty sharing they can no longer provide for their pet. There may also be misunderstandings about what happens when someone surrenders a pet to the OHS, worried they may incur fees or be barred from adopting or even owning animals in the future.
To be abundantly clear: there is no fee to surrender your pet to the OHS, there is no penalty for responsibly giving up your pet, and there is no judgement or shame in giving a pet you can no longer care for the best possible shot at a second chance.
Life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect. A sudden move, a change in work schedule, health challenges, financial strain or family circumstances can make it impossible to provide the care a pet needs. These situations are far more common than many people realize.
Wherever possible, we want to help families navigate these challenges and we offer a number of resources to keep pets in the homes where they are loved. And when staying together isn’t possible, we’re here to make a heartbreaking decision a little easier.
Every year, animals come to the OHS because someone recognized they could no longer meet their pet’s needs and chose to ask for help rather than abandon them or leave them in a difficult situation. That choice takes courage and compassion.
Our team works every day to provide animals with medical care, behaviour support and the love they need until they find a new family. Thanks to our caring community, thousands of animals get the second chances they deserve each year.
If you are facing a difficult situation with your pet, please know: there is no shame in asking for help. Getting the support you need is an act of compassion for you and your pet.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO