Be kind to the animals – VG

Three weeks ago we got a puppy. Her name is Saga, and she is a black and white cocker spaniel. She makes the whole family talk in baby voices and crawl around on the floor.

I had no idea it was possible to fall so in love with a little furball.

But oh, how tiring it is to have a puppy!

I’ve never had a dog before, so the learning curve is steep. I had no idea how often such a small puppy poops (up to seven times a day). Or that she would have a fit and try to raze the whole living room.

Puppy life is intense.

One evening I ended up volunteering to shop at Rema. There I wandered between the shelves and felt free. I haven’t done that since the kids were tiny.

I am not alone in feeling that the responsibility of a pet can weigh heavily.

Animal Protection reports that a record number of people are now getting rid of their pets. The association for the relocation of animals (FOD) has also had a hectic summer. They bring in so many animals that they struggle to take care of them all.

Dumper coronadyr

Animal protection believes that it is the so-called corona animals that are now being dumped. Animals we acquired during the pandemic, when we all lived stable lives with home offices. In that bubble it fit perfectly with a dog or a cat. Imagine how cozy it is to have a cat creeping along your legs during a video meeting with your colleagues.

Now, when the world has opened up, it doesn’t go as well with an animal sitting at home waiting for a ride, food and cuddles. For now we want to experience life out there. Then the solution is to relocate.

These are animals that do not know any other life than with their family. Some are quite spoiled with cuddles and attention too, because they have been used to someone being at home with them all day.

But now it’s over.

It no longer fits, and the family gets in the car and delivers their pet for relocation.

According to a new rapport Norway is the worst in terms of use and disposal in the whole of Europe. Does this also apply to our pets? In any case, animal protection calls what they see now one use-and-throw mentality.

But an animal is not something you throw away when you get bored.

–

Animal husbandry = responsibility

No one can predict the future. But we knew that the pandemic would one day get out of hand. We knew that one day we would be back in the office. That we should work overtime. That we would drink Friday beer with colleagues and go on holiday with the family.

Therefore, it is strange that so many people think that pets do not work in everyday life. That they don’t have the time and capacity. That now they would rather be free.

Of course, some people have good reasons for giving up their pet. There may be a death in the family. It could be that the owner has fallen ill. Or as in the case of Sondre – a dog that had to be relocated because the previous owners’ house burned to the ground, according to a NRK report.

A lot can happen in a life, and it’s not always possible for a pet to come along for the whole journey. And if someone can’t give their pet the care it deserves, then it’s a good idea to rehome it.

But if the reason is the owners’ desire for freedom, then it’s just poorly done. What happened to long-term planning? It can hardly come as a surprise that a pet lives for many years and that all these years come with a responsibility?

Some go even further. They set their pet out in the forest and depart from it. Or pulls it over the fencet to the relocation site and runs away.

They should be ashamed! And never get a pet again.

–

Separation anxiety

Already in the spring of 2020, when the pandemic was still fresh and we lived in a state of emergency, animal protection was uneasy. Then Norwegians acquired pets like never before, and the concern was that the animals would be dumped as soon as the borders opened again. Unfortunately, the concern was justified.

Many of the dogs that are now being relocated are afraid of being alone. They got used to having their owners at home during the corona period and struggled with separation anxiety when the home office ceased.

Others have behavioral problems, probably because puppy classes were not organized during the pandemic. As a result, the owners missed out on valuable help. And it probably led to a bunch of mischievous dogs.

It is also expensive to have pets. A trip to the vet can quickly cost half a month’s salary. This may also be the reason why many people are now getting rid of their animals.

Many will certainly get new, good homes. Nevertheless: It is the animals who are the big losers. Because not everyone can be relocated. There are simply too many homeless animals in Norway now. Someone has to penalty with life.

A cocker spaniel lives on average 12-15 years. We have had Saga for three weeks. But we have already allied ourselves with kind people who will look after her for us from time to time.

It takes a village.