During the panic caused by the recent instability in the middle east, Facebook groups dedicated to dogs have been posting the same post over and over again – basically begging people not to abandon their dogs as they flee the country in panic. I also saw a lot of posts/forwarded messages in Whatsapp about people urgently looking to re-home their pets.
Let me declare my personal bias – I have this unique blindness where I do not distinguish between different kinds of children – 2-legged, 4-legged, covered in fur, covered in feathers, with a tail, those who speak English, speak Hindi, who bark, who meow … In my mind they are all children. And just how it would be unthinkable for a family to abandon their human toddler at the border (because they do not have enough money/documents/are in a rush) it is equally unacceptable to do that with a non-human child. Deciding to adopt/give birth to a child is a lifelong commitment.
What can be done :
1. Keep the vaccinations up to date, get the titer test which is required for travel
2. There are many boarding facilities where you can place your child temporarily until you come back/arrange export procedures/documentation
3. Contact pet relocation companies they will provide guidance what is required/where/how/ cost
If you want to help:
· Donate money to animal shelters they are always in need of funds
· If you are not fleeing – foster/adopt to ease the burden on shelters
· Offer to pay for boarding for those who for some reason are not able to travel with their fur-child r ight now
· Assist by finding travel buddies for those that have made arrangements but need a human body on the plane to accompany the child
Do not under any circumstances agree to look after someone’s fur child “for a few weeks/months” unless you are willing to do that for the rest of the animal’s life. I personally know people who agreed to do this favour and then the person never came back to collect their child, leaving the good Samaritan with 3 choices – re-home, throw out in the street, become a permanent parent.
I am infinitely understanding of all life situations except this one. If you are not willing to take full responsibility for a life – don’t become a parent.
There are 3 circumstances for abandoning a child, if the human (parent) is heading to jail, grave or wheelchair (and the last one is questionable).