Saturday, April 18, 2020

Sometimes adoptions don't work out - and that is okay



Hibiscus and Rooibos are back.  They are safe, happy, and adjusted back to the room after just a few minutes. I'm glad they are here.

I know a lot of people get really emotional when cats (or pets) are adopted and then returned, but I really think those people are doing a great disservice when they attack people for doing this. Not every match is a love match, not every energy is right for every home, and no matter how you think you know a kitten, cat, puppy or dog is going to act in their new home, it doesn't always go as planned.

Being adult enough to say "this isn't working and we want what is best for us AND the pet" and taking those steps to return the animal and give it a shot at home where it will be a much better fit. Owning a pet is at least a decade long commitment and it should be a complete and utter love match.

I look at this an excellent socialization "boot camp" for these two. I hated that I could not bring other people into my home to get them used to others. I also could not really take them out to "stress" them out to give them that

So not one negative word that they are back with me.  I am sure that they will find their right home quickly and in the end, everyone will be happy. Yes, there are times that "returning a pet" will put the life of the pet in danger, but I do believe that even then it is in the pet's best interest to have that shot at another home than staying in one where it becomes an obligation and not a member of the family.

20 comments:

  1. Welcome back Hibiscus and Rooibos. Maybe next time, Now we get to enjoy you both for a little while longer.

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  2. Totally agree with you. I’m glad they’re happy and adjusted after their little vacation. It’s cool they were able to come back to you.

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  3. So brave of the family...my hat is off to them! Kudos for doing the right thing....and we get to enjoy them a bit longer❤️❤️❤️ Thanks for a win-win...

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  4. Purrs. It can be hard but better to come back if it's not working

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  5. I agree. I adopted a puggle puppy from a rural shelter once after spending countless hours trying to determine what kind of dog was best for me. When I brought him to my apartment, I realized the beagle part was a huge problem. I figured he would make pug sounds but no. My living situation was extremely tenuous and I had two cats to provide for. After about 36 hours, I called the shelter, sobbing hysterically because I believed that people who returned adopted animals were... Monsters. Well, they had a wait list so I drove him back the 3 hours with all of his new toys and crate and everything and I told myself I am not ever allowed to adopt another dog. But I love dogs, so I posted on Craigslist offering to walk dogs in my neighborhood for free, just to hang with dogs. A rescuer replied asking why I wasn't trying to adopt and I told her the whole story. She said maybe it just wasn't the right match and offered to show me a dog she thought might work or some other dogs she had of I didn't like him. Riley was 95 pounds of GSD mix sweetness, calm, quiet, a wonderful companion for 9 years and I miss him. Although it is critically important to commit to an adopted pet, it's at least equally important to commit to our human companions and I suck at that too ��. Ow I have a 50 lb chow mix Mutt. She will be my last dog, but she is lovely and we hopefully have many years to go. ❤️

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  6. Ah!! So they had a good vacation. Learned to be with other people. And now enjoying their home. Lol!! I’m happy to see their beautiful faces. FB feed had got lonely without them. And yes they will find their perfect home like Casey and Cabana did. And like all my 5 cats. Lol!!

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  7. A few years ago I started adopting every cat out on "foster-to-adopt"--the cat/kitten(s) was still ours for two weeks. I'd hoped that way people would feel less judged if they decided the cat wasn't a match for them. I'd much rather have kittens or cats returned as quickly as possible if their new home isn't the best for both them and their new guardians, and as you said, we still learn so much about how they act in a new home--it's a win either way.

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  8. We’re sorry it didn’t work out for them, but you’re right...it’s what best for the cats.

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  9. Far better they are returned when things don't work out, than stay in a home and suffer neglect. They're both so cute, I'm sure they will find their forever homes soon.

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  10. It's better this way I suppose. When I adopted Emma, the lady at the shelter told me that I can return her if I don't get along with her. Truthfully I felt bad that she told me that. I knew in my heart that I wanted this cat that chose me so why in the world would I return her. Now I understand. Thankfully, from the first time that Emma stepped inside the house, she owned it. I'm glad I was not put in the position of even considering not keeping her.

    Emma and Buster

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  11. I fully agree! So many variables, and so many to meet, I'm often surprised when so many do work out. And attacking them for being honest? That's outrageous. I have always been glad when people came back to tell me the adoption wasn't working, and often they'd choose another of my fosters. For the sake of the kitty and themselves, I would rather have their honesty, that's for sure.

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  12. It's always sad when an adoption doesn't work out - but MUCH better when the kitties get returned so they get a good chance at finding the right home for them.

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  13. We're sad when adoptions don't work out, but you are absolutely correct. If it's not working, it's not working. I'm glad the adopter was adult enough to do what was right. The perfect home will find Hibiscus and Rooibis. XO

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  14. Must be sad when it doesn't work out

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  15. Anonymous10:21 PM

    It is awful when it doesn't work out...a few years ago I brought home a kitty and it just was not a match. I thought I was a horrible human being and a failure and I bawled when I returned that sweet little thing. She ended up going to her forever home where she had the activity (she needed more people and pets around her) that she needed to thrive and be happy. I adopted another cat later, and now we are two peas in our quarantined pod.

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  16. I'm happy to see them back with you, Connie. I sure missed them. I got all teary-eyed when they left and the room was empty again. They will find their purrfect home.

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  17. It is far better for them to be returned and re-adopted instead of both them and the people being unhappy. You'll take good care of them until they find a new home!

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  18. Sorry it did not work out, but happy to see their little faces and antics once more.

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  19. We agree, humans are doing the best thing for the kitties when they realize it isn't working out and are responsible to return them from the place they adopted them from. Their purrfect forever home will come around.

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  20. The adoptive humans did a good thing and the kitties are back, safe and loved. Everyone is safe and doing ok. That's what's most important.

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