Dog owners ‘trading in ageing pets for younger models’
Friday 12th November 2010, 9:30AM GMT.
Shropshire dog owners are trading in their ageing pets in favour of “younger models”, a leading rehoming centre said today.
Staff at Roden Dogs Trust have seen an influx of older dogs in recent months and suspect owners are making way for younger pets in the run up to Christmas.
Rachel Wright, assistant manager at the centre, said it was sad that dogs were being treated like disposable items.
She said: “At this time of year we do tend to get older dogs in.
“A lot of people decide they don’t want older dogs at this time of year and will look to ‘trade them in’ so to speak for a younger one.
“There seems to be a lot of older dogs that are not wanted by their owners and it is a real shame.”
She added that staff at the centre were also encouraging people to think through the decision to purchase a dog for Christmas.
“Our message is, and always has been, a dog is for life, not just for Christmas,” she said.
“It is a life-time commitment and people should take their time and think it through.
“We do see an increase in winter and then after Christmas we obviously get a lot of dogs coming in where people have got themselves a young puppy but find they haven’t got the time to look after it.
“I think the message is definitely getting across and we are getting less dogs than we used to because people have started listening to our advice.”
In an attempt to prevent the irresponsible behaviour, Roden will not rehome dogs from December 19 to January 2.
People can visit and reserve a dog, but will not be able to take it home until the New Year.
As well as taking in abandoned dogs over the Christmas period, staff will continue their usual busy job of looking after 150 dogs in their care.
To give a dog a caring home visit Dogs Trust Roden at Roden Lane Farm, Telford, or call (01952) 770225.
By Alex James
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They shouldn’t be allowed dogs then. I have had to spend over 10 days with my dog in kennels whilst in hospital. It was hell. These people should be banned from keeping them.
Hilary
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How very sad,emotionless and heartless these people are !! clearly they are not animal lovers, i think this is disgusting behaviour and definately sends out a totally devastating message to the younger generations about owning pets. I wouldn’t dream of giving up my pets just because they were old, thats like saying gran is 60 now lets give up on her and leave her with strangers and never think about her quality of life or feelings ever again! There are no true loving honest bond’s with anything alive these days, people really have stooped so low, shame on you!!
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Sadly there’s nothing new about this story – and I’ll bet that quite a few of the puppies bought for Christmas will be kicked out when the novelty wears off by about February.
One family I know are now on their fourth dog in six years – they’re always very vague about what happened to the “previous model”.
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these people are not dog lovers, if you have a pet you love them for all there life as one of the family.
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Tut Tut! Respectable people of course – 4×4, 2.5 kids, parents/grandparents in retirement homes and probably flytippers into the bargain.
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I just cannot believe it, they should not be allowed to have pets.
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I agree.
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I Just wish that people would think twice before breeding their dogs.
How many puppies are dumped because they can’t sell them?
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