An Animal Rescuer's Answering Machine

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| Print | By Jo Singer | November 2, 2009 10:33 AM

2-Ark Logo.jpg The U.S. slaughters 5 million healthy pets annually! Shelters are overburdened with pets needing homes. The majority of these unfortunate animals have been surrendered to shelters when owners become tired of caring for them, are bored with the novelty of owning a pet, or the pet no longer fits into the lifestyle of the owner. What I cannot ever get my head wrapped around is how often these pets no longer are considered family members, and how people think of them as "disposable" possessions.

The other day I received an email containing a poignant and compelling dramatic fictional "rescuer's answering machine" from a friend who is personally deeply and passionately involved in rescue work; finding foster homes, locating forever loving families in which to place needy pets, while at the same time running a very busy real estate business. I want to acknowledge how in awe I am of her tireless commitment to help improve the lives of so many homeless animals.

While this piece of course is not a true answering machine recording, it sums up all what I consider to be "lame" excuses for giving up a pet that was perhaps once treasured and taken into a home with the promise of responsibly caring and cherishing a living and feeling animal, "until death do us part." I have included the most compelling options offered. The author is unknown, but the work is deeply appreciated by rescuers all around the country.

A RESCUER'S ANSWERING MACHINE

Hello: You have reached ARK. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation:

Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away.

Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old dog.

Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time.

Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 6 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation.

Press 7 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle.

Press 8 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog to be euthanized because I won't take it.

Press 9 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid and cat-friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 10 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer.

Press 11 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course.

Press 12 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion.

Press 13 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 14 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 15 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 16 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog.

Press 17 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from the grief of missing his family.
Visit ARK's Website for more information about them.
http://arkfl.rescuegroups.org/

And Press 18 and leave a comment to share your reactions to this piece.

RELATED TOPICS: Adoption (12) , Blogs (252) , Rescue (19)

« Previous

Margie November 2, 2009 11:53 AM

::pressing 18::
WELL SAID !!!

Skylark November 2, 2009 12:16 PM

I work in an animal hospital, and I've heard most of these excuses. Number 7 hurts me the most. These pets have lived in a loving environment for years and already have been terribly stressed by the changes in their lives because of the death of their much loved owners. Now they aren't wanted by anybody and must be put to death for the convenience of the remaining members of the family. Breaks your heart, doesn't it?

Laura November 2, 2009 12:34 PM

Simply heartbreaking :(

Vicki November 2, 2009 12:57 PM

I find it hard to put into words how I feel about this. The thing that hurts the most is not being able to jab my fist in these people's faces.

Barbara November 2, 2009 1:45 PM

This is so very sad, every single one of those choices refers to things that happen every day. I want to punish those unfeeling, uncaring, selfish people.

Ruth November 2, 2009 1:52 PM

I agree with what Vicki said. What irritates me the most is when people are moving and they can't take thier dogs/cats with them. Why not? Are you also leaving your kids behind too? If the house/apt. where you want to move doesn't accept pets, find one that does. When we had to move a few yrs ago, we looked high and low for a decent place that allowed pets but the ones that did were terrible. So we bought a house just so I wouldn't have to give up my babies. They are family too. Not disposable objects. All shelters and rescue places should have an answering machine message like that. It might open a few eyes.

jmuhj November 2, 2009 5:04 PM

Wow, Jo. I've seen this for years -- in the ORIGINAL version, which places equal emphasis on cats and dogs. This one is shameful! Part of the Newspeak, Newthink mindset here, which practically ignores cats and shoves dogs down the throats of the public. I'm all for people discarding dogs. What's it take for people here to realize that CATS exist??? and that they're in far greater trouble than dogs?

Jo Singer November 2, 2009 5:23 PM

But one of the most important cat messages that anyone can read is the one on this version...

Donna November 2, 2009 6:17 PM

wow...really sad, but unfortunately wayyyy too true.

No one told my 3 declawed cats they should have problems in the litter box. They really don't act any differently than my un-declawed cats. Now that we're back to NOT declawing (it's a long story, Reader's digest condensed version...it was declaw Clifton or lose him...as he hated (at 6 weeks) my also 6 week old granddaughter. =( So the vet knew it was for the best. But, happily, my latest baby ISN'T declawed, although he may be getting those nailguards soon!

Amy November 3, 2009 9:18 AM

I hate to say this but that is a keeper. I am going to copy and save it to send to those who need a reminder on how senseless their actions are. You know put a little shame into their lives!

Barb November 9, 2009 12:20 PM

Is there an option that says, we'll take the dog you need to bring in because your neighbors are idiots that let him roam the streets and you don't want to call Animal Control who will put him down?

Reno November 12, 2009 7:34 PM

How about press 19 to surrender your cat because you just recarpeted your house and he no longer matches the carpet.....yes, I have heard that scenario :(

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