Is it right to rescue.?

[FairyLights]

I've recently been thinking about all the unwanted horses and ponies there are. British horse magaizne has an article about overbreeding etc. Tom Price is said to own about 2500 animals and there are also others with lots of horses. Is it right that welfare organisations should be picking up the pieces? Why should the general horse owning public be asked to rehome these unwanted animals? The responsibility lies with the owner and breeder, not with anyone else.
I do wonder if WHW Redwings etc etc are really helping the situation. They are helping individual horses without doubt, but if the owners had to keep the animals they have bred and cant sell, and keep them to a decent standard of welfare, surely that would be better in stopping further indescriminate breeding as it would hit them in their pocket where it hurts.

 

[Tiddlypom]

This is a really tricky one, isn't it. By all accounts, the numbers of equines needing rescuing now or in the very near future will be reaching unmanageable numbers. The centres are already at near full capacity.

How exactly the general equine population will reduce in numbers to a supportable number I don't know, but I fear there will be some very uncomfortable decisions to made.

 

[hnmisty]

If someone can't afford to keep their animal in good health then forcing them to keep it to "teach them a lesson" is just not going to work. How are they going to suddenly be able to afford to keep it in luxury? If my overdraft is at maximum and my living costs eat up 100% of my wages, how would you expect me to suddenly pay for food, shoes, vets bills etc for my horse? Horse would probably end up dead in a ditch pretty quickly.

My opinion is very much "can't afford it? Don't get it", which sadly a lot of people don't seem to agree with (another opinion is "don't know how to look after it? Get a book rather than a horse", again a lot of people seem to be in disagreement with me!). But you can't punish the horse for having a ***** owner.

WHW/Redwings/RSPCA/etc don't give the owner any money when they confiscate their animals, so surely that is hitting them where it hurts? How do you propose making an owner pay for hay for his starving horses? March him to the nearest cash point and force him to withdraw money for it at gun point? These people don't need horses for their living, they choose to have them, just as they choose to neglect them (apart from in the few minority cases where they just can't handle things anymore). They can't be forced to provide better care, and it's in the animals' interest to place them with people who will provide them with due care and attention.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

There is no way of making breeders keep the animals that they can't sell, if they don't want them and neither does any-one else, the unwanted animals can always be pts.
I think you will find that the major, reputable welfare organisations don't take animals which are just supernumary. They have very strict criteria and will only take welfare issue cases, in other words seriously neglected animals.
I think that gradually fewer mares are being put in foal because many people have found that they can't sell the foals. I have noticed fewer in-foal mares at auctions. It will take a while to filter through though and one problem is that some breeders have previously earned their living in this way and will struggle to change their ways.

 

[Leo Walker]

My opinion is very much "can't afford it? Don't get it", which sadly a lot of people don't seem to agree with

And what happens in my instance? Good job, can easily afford the horses etc. Then I had an accident and fractured my spine, all of a sudden I'm living on £85 a week and having to pay £50 a week towards my rent out of that. I couldnt go back to work, I couldnt walk! I had to rely on other people to look after my horses and use what money I had saved to pay for them. I was lucky, at that point I had 2 horses living out, I'd previously had as many as 5. I was also very lucky to have good friends who took over their care as for the first 2 months at least, I was smacked out of my tiny little mind on heavy duty painkillers. I couldnt have made a decision about anything, never mind what to do with the horses! By the time the money ran out (I couldnt work for nearly 9 months and then only part time) I was at least aware enough to be able to sort the situation myself even if I did without food and heating till I was back on my feet

 

[pansy]

My opinion is very much "can't afford it? Don't get it", which sadly a lot of people don't seem to agree with (another opinion is "don't know how to look after it? Get a book rather than a horse", again a lot of people seem to be in disagreement with me!). But you can't punish the horse for having a ***** owner.
.

I agree with the above - but this doesn't tackle the problem of overbreeding - horses round by me & probably in other areas are being given away at the moment coming into winter

Licences have been talked about today , if you have more than 1 horse can be expensive, passports haven't really worked horses by me are being moved sold & kept without them.

I don't know the answer, but I do fear for the future

 

[windand rain]

if people cant afford to have a horse they shouldnt get one simple but there are thousands of owners who have had income drastically reduced due to redundancy and ill health. Food for humans rises at about 20% every few weeks in my experience as cheap items costing £1 are now £1.20. I went food shopping this week it cost the same to feed the cat and dog as it did to feed OH and I. I simply cannot afford to take on anymore and should be cutting numbers drastically. I am vilified for saying I have a PTS fund for the ponies as I would much rather they went to meet their maker than suffer in any way and sadly there is no market for old, young and quirky horses which is where mine are at the moment. I have three ponies now having gifted the best to her rider so one less mouth to feed but they live on a shoestring. I cannot afford them really as OH was made redundant and we are too old to be employable not old enough for state pension. What would you suggest can be done in that situation. My animals always come first, feet, vaccinations, teeth quality tack are all a priority they go without nothing they are fed daily and are happy and healthy what can I do if I cannot continue in this except PTS
As to whether charities should rescue from big breeders well no probably not but the solution would cause uproar as every horse suffering regardless of age should be PTS and the breeder/owner made to pay up
There is currently an appeal for homes to prevent dartmoor hill ponies going for zoo meat. Sorry but the zoo meat is the very best solution for these foals in many cases they shouldnt be bred in the first place but having been born and had a reasonable short life over the summer it is now time to see them shot and fed to the lions instead of being allowed to go to inexperienced people where they suffer terribly. It is cheaper to buy a pony than a large bar of chocolate there are not enough good homes for the masses of indiscriminately bred scrub foals so a short life but a happy one would in many cases be better than the suffering that is regularly visited on these poor souls. There are a few good people out there that will do the best by them but they are a huge minority

 

[Booboos]

This may be a view that is not shared by anyone else but I always find it a bit odd when people chose to rescue a neglected horse and then spend thousands on bringing it back to a decent state (sometimes with limited success), thus rewarding the people who breed crap and neglect their animals by giving them money for them and relieving them of the burden of even the minimal care they give them, instead of buying a responsibly bred youngster by a good breeder. So the crap breeder gets to sell his horse and the good breeder is forced to keep his. Hard as it is neglect cases should not be bought by private individuals, they should be referred to organisations that can prosecute the owners.

 

[Bradsmum]

I have, let's call him, "an indiscriminate breeder" next door to me. Take away their stallions will hit them hard. Pretty sure that this stallion is now breeding with his daughters! The ponies are 'checked' on probably about once a month and he doesn't even come down when you ring him to tell him that one or more have broken out. He's always away somewhere and cannot get back before dark so it is left to me and a friend to round them up. We refuse to mend fences etc so presume that a 'visit' is made to patch up holes. If he had no stallion or if he Had to get all these ponies passports, he just might think twice.

 

[JillA]

We can also be too reluctant to PTS, so there are horses being cared for who really don't have a great quality of life. I did take one in who found adjusting to a new environment and regime incredibly difficult to cope with, and in his '20s I sometimes thought although he didn't have any health problems it might have been kinder to just put out the lights in situ. I have had to advise several times that PTS is the kindest option - lame horses, ponies who are pretty much constantly laminitic, horses with an underlying problem meaning they can't keep condition etc etc etc.
One other consideration though is the cost of euthanasia and disposal - I'm sure it is a factor, when years ago it would cost nothing or you might even get a few £££££s to offset the cost of transport you could make the decision purely on what is the kindest thing.

 

[eahotson]

I read that article and very good it was tone of the points they make is that there is indiscriminate breeding producing horses and ponies that are not fit for purpose.The top end also comes into some critisism because, as they say, if you are trying to breed a super star you will (if you are lucky) get one in about 50 foals which leaves 49 spare.Some will be able to fit a slot somewhere but not all.
I think one of the things we should do is be prepared to pay more for our horses.I shudder when I hear people say I bought this horse/pony/foal for buttons.What incentive is there for breeders to take the time/trouble and expense to produce good animals properly started and with the pontential for a good long working life. Also, if people had to pay more they will think harder before buying one.
Secondly think about using horse meat commercially.At least the animals may be better cared for if they are worth some money.The BHS are talking about culling (in the short term) which they think is unavoidable but don't want it to become an accepted and regular thing.
Also in the same magazine they did an article about some free gelding they did.One owner said it would help her manage her two much better.Well at least she had it done but didn't she think about this before she purchased?

 

[Goldenstar]

This may be a view that is not shared by anyone else but I always find it a bit odd when people chose to rescue a neglected horse and then spend thousands on bringing it back to a decent state (sometimes with limited success), thus rewarding the people who breed crap and neglect their animals by giving them money for them and relieving them of the burden of even the minimal care they give them, instead of buying a responsibly bred youngster by a good breeder. So the crap breeder gets to sell his horse and the good breeder is forced to keep his. Hard as it is neglect cases should not be bought by private individuals, they should be referred to organisations that can prosecute the owners.

I used to think this .
However time as a welfare officer changed this.
People have a right to spend their time and money to give one of these poor pathetic creatures the chance of a life , I have time and time again seen individuals step up and give an animal in need a second chance .
It's a special thing when a neglected animal finds a MOP to fight for it , to give it a chance these poor little things are horses like ours they like the same things they feel the same things they deserve the same things the fact that lots don't get it does not mean its wrong that some are lucky.
Welfare cases who found white knights brightened my life at one point.
The authority's don't have to sort everything people can do things for themselves.
This is a complex and conflicting area and I don't think theres a definative right and wrong I personally would never buy from one of the poor low end dealers that peddle so much misery to unsuspecting owners but accept that those horses have as much right to a good home as others .
Nothing in this is fair .
We must get in control of indescrimanate breeding at the root of the issue not pile cost and regulation on those who are not while ignoring the bad because those people are two difficult to deal with.
The answer is to stop these horses being born ..... Somehow .

 

[Hippona]

This may be a view that is not shared by anyone else but I always find it a bit odd when people chose to rescue a neglected horse and then spend thousands on bringing it back to a decent state (sometimes with limited success), thus rewarding the people who breed crap and neglect their animals by giving them money for them and relieving them of the burden of even the minimal care they give them, instead of buying a responsibly bred youngster by a good breeder. So the crap breeder gets to sell his horse and the good breeder is forced to keep his. Hard as it is neglect cases should not be bought by private individuals, they should be referred to organisations that can prosecute the owners.

Indeed.
I'll probably get flamed.....but.....Possibly a mass cull is in order.
Round up all the poorly bred, neglected and fly grazed animals littering the country and have them humanely destroyed. Got to be cheaper in the long run than keeping them when nobody wants them and its better than them being neglected.
Have registered breeders only.
I know someone who has taken on some horses from somebody who had been banned from keeping them. She's got a few acres and a stallion and plans on breeding so she can give up her job. Yeah.....like that's gonna happen....she can't give away the ones she's got, I've already declined several times. Unbelievable.

 

[Capriole]

I shudder when I hear people say I bought this horse/pony/foal for buttons.What incentive is there for breeders to take the time/trouble and expense to produce good animals properly started and with the pontential for a good long working life.

I agree. I've commented about this very thing a couple of times in the last couple of days! I usually find that a lot of the ponies sold for pennies are going for pennies because they are badly put together, poor indescriminately bred little things, in a market oversaturated with thousands of the same. No one wants them, of course they are going for pennies if they do manage to sell, especially if you are buying at a low end auction.
And then when you see people balking at the price of a reasonably priced horse. Something for nothing attitudes.

This may be a view that is not shared by anyone else but I always find it a bit odd when people chose to rescue a neglected horse and then spend thousands on bringing it back to a decent state (sometimes with limited success), thus rewarding the people who breed crap and neglect their animals by giving them money for them and relieving them of the burden of even the minimal care they give them, instead of buying a responsibly bred youngster by a good breeder. So the crap breeder gets to sell his horse and the good breeder is forced to keep his.

Again, agreed. So many times we see someone buy a neglected horse from a dodgy sort of seller that will never, even with good care, going to be what they wanted. Bad conformation or temp, wrong size/type, unsuitable for what they wanted to do, just because it is in a state and they felt sorry for it. So the dodgy seller has your money and its time for the next unfortunate horse thats going to pull on someones heart-strings, and the buyer (often) has a horse they would never have bought in a month of sundays if it had been shiny and happy in a good home. Better to report the seller who has let the horse get in a state, in the hope they are stopped from repeating it, than give them money, imo.
And then there are all the really decent horses no-one is giving a chance because they don't have any pity-factor.
I'd rather go to the decent breeder and give them decent money for a decent horse.

 

[windand rain]

The only ways to reduce them being born is sadly to stop feeding the market by letting people buy them. Ostensibly it could be made less of a problem if every male horse was traced and graded with a hefty fee for a license everything to be dna tested at birth and if not by a graded stallion gelded on the spot but that takes a lot of money to enforce and of course there will always be those that slip through the net or intimidate the inspectors. Every foal seen in a field would have to be found to test so a logistics nightmare in places like the new forest and dartmoor. However if the ponies can be drifted to wean foals and collected up to take them off the free range maybe all of them should be tested and gelded then.
The issue as I see is it is the cost of euthanasia, the fashion for riding entires, cost of gelding and of course people so called rescuing lining the pockets of the low end breeders
If you want a foal you have to pay for it people on another thread are saying a yearling from a big stud is expensive at £1600 I can assure you that is cheap as chips when it comes to the cost of raising it if it has been done properly
18 months of keeping the mare is a minimum of £2000 6 months of keeping the foal and feeding it is another £800 if you own your own stud stallion it is £1500 to keep him then of course specialist feet trimming, vaccinations incidental vet fees, registration, transport to show your animal off entry fees, and handler cost even if you do it all yourself at a minimum wage rate it is £2302 that is 2 hours a day so your foal before it is weaned has cost in commercial terms £6600 and that is if you do it right and thats not including any emergencies and extra vet bills for foals usually on a mission to injure or kill themselves and gelding if done on the mare
It is certainly not breeding to sell for pennies as some are suggesting it is

 

[Flosii]

AS mentioned above I dn not think that it is just the breeding that is the problem, Although far to many being bread for no good cause but to sit in a field and 'look pretty'.
IOt is also people reluctance to make the decision to PTS.
Whilst I was lookinf for my new steed, time and time again I came across adverts for 20yrs young but only suitable for hacking home. Great companion horse, but cannot be ridden.
Through personal experience I feel that if a horse has incurable health issues that affect its every day living and has to be on drugs/ painkillers day in day out or keeps breaking down everytime it comes back into work then surly the kindest most humane thing to do is PTS.
As for the brreding side, I think that there should be some sort of legilation. But it is same world over with horses dogs and cats.

 

[Saneta]

This problem is just the same as with puppy farmers. Personally, I don't think it's the animals that need culling. Extremely harsh sentences on those who breed indiscriminantly, keep animals in horrendous conditions, and forfeiting any money and possessions to pay for their time in prison would be my preferred course of action...

 

[SadKen]

I have also commented on the other thread but think both topics should be kept live for as long as possible as this is such an important issue.

I'm another who thinks PTS should happen a heck of a lot more than it does. It's hugely upsetting - of course it is - but I think it needs to be considered. Think back 100 years; PTS happened a lot more because horses were livestock and not pets like they are today. We also didn't have the vet care we do today. The horses then were probably (as I have no direct experience!) in better shape from a conformational and health perspective as those that weren't simply didn't make it to breed.

Foals like 'gamble' from the recent 'dumped foal' thread (yes, I know it turned out to be less than honest) - if they exist - perhaps we ought to PTS immediately instead of trying to fix them. It would free up more time and money to help the horses that will have a happy healthy life without the need for vet care and medication on a daily ongoing basis.

Those horses that are for adoption as 'companion only' at rescues due to health and behavioural issues - again, should they be PTS to make room for those who are healthy and may (with training) be rideable one day? Perhaps this would be a better pool of horses for those with less cash who want their own to draw from - it would save them the purchase cost and may be more attractive because they could return the horse if they had to (on the basis that those people will get a horse anyway by hook or by crook, and at least the horse's welfare can be checked).

This is such a toughie, as I think it's natural for everyone who loves animals to want to save them; it almost makes me cry now to think of PTS a baby animal of any kind, but I can see sometimes it's for the best. Perhaps this is really what needs to change.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I've recently been thinking about all the unwanted horses and ponies there are. British horse magaizne has an article about overbreeding etc. Tom Price is said to own about 2500 animals and there are also others with lots of horses. Is it right that welfare organisations should be picking up the pieces? Why should the general horse owning public be asked to rehome these unwanted animals? The responsibility lies with the owner and breeder, not with anyone else.
I do wonder if WHW Redwings etc etc are really helping the situation. They are helping individual horses without doubt, but if the owners had to keep the animals they have bred and cant sell, and keep them to a decent standard of welfare, surely that would be better in stopping further indescriminate breeding as it would hit them in their pocket where it hurts.

If you believe that an animal's life has value, then, yes, it is right. I know of several horses that have been rescued near death from starvation and had recovered and gone on to be superb ridden horses. My own horse has given me enormous pleasure for the last 11 years. The vet originally recommended he should be PTS as he was so ill, but all he needed to recover, was good care and time, not thousands of pounds.

Perhaps if the racing industry didn't breed disposable horses the problem would be greatly reduced.

 

[Arizahn]

I had the choice between a lovely gelding or a lovely colt. I bought the colt, so that I could be sure he would be gelded, thus never add to the problem. After all, if he turns out to be olympic level brilliant, well we have cloning now! So why breed at all? Store sperm and geld everything, right across the board, mandatory. No more breeding for at least five years, not even the brilliant ones. Sort out what we have first. And then only allow breeding on a limited scale, approved by vets, animals health checked, homes booked etc.

As to the idea of culling the unwanted herd, someone wondered re disposal. Well why can't the carcasses go to zoos, or to Dogs Trust and other large kennels? Free meat for the charities, bones can go to fertiliser for agriculture, hides for leather. Bullets are cheap, am sure transport could be afforded for the remains by the likes of the bigger charities.

And stop buying sob stories. If it is not fit for purpose, walk away and buy one that is. Unless you intend to buy it and put it out of its misery, which is another means of helping to solve the crisis. Death is not bad, grief is the hard part. Measure human grief against animal misery whilst alive and decide.

Of course, all of this does rely on finding vets that place quality of life above quantity, where smaller animals are concerned. This can actually be hard, I know from bitter experience. Many prefer to offer treatment after treatment, dragging out your already difficult choice by months whilst your beloved pet slowly fades into something unrecognisable and all your requests to PTS are brushed gently aside, as there is another pill available...

At least with horses, there is the knackers or the hunt. And I am very glad of that. Don't know if this answers the question posed by OP. But am very tired of vets that procrastinate

 

[joeanne]

Spain has it right.......an animals that is seized in a welfare case, is destroyed, preventing it from ever becoming another statistic.
People like Tom Price ought to have his entire herd seized and culled. The majority of them are feral, worm ridden, badly put together snot, and quite frankly it would be the kindest thing for them.

 

[Arizahn]

Spain has it right.......an animals that is seized in a welfare case, is destroyed, preventing it from ever becoming another statistic.
People like Tom Price ought to have his entire herd seized and culled. The majority of them are feral, worm ridden, badly put together snot, and quite frankly it would be the kindest thing for them.

Problem is, we have three types of people that take on rescues.

One type knows that the animal will be hard to care for, but does not mind and is prepared to do whatever is needed, and can manage.

One type means well, but has never experienced rescued animals before. This person may manage with enough support, or may be overwhelmed.

And one type just enjoys the warm glow of doing a good deed, and cannot manage the animal properly, so it becomes a problem for others too, but that is fine, because it is a rescue and supposed to have issues. They will not acknowledge that they are in fact making the animal worse by their inaction. They may also pass it on to other would be rescuers, without warning them about its issues (see above). This type of rescuer would be up in arms at what Spain does. (They would protest loudly whilst their collection of mismanaged rescue animals fell apart around them, both mentally, emotionally and sometimes physically.)

Am bitter. Sorry.

 

[joeanne]

I agree Arizhan.....problem is the RIGHT type of person that can rescue is full to bursting. There is no space. Anywhere.
Culling would do two things, it would reduce the numbers of unwanted horses and ponies immediately, and secondly, if someone knew his seized, neglected, and often fly grazed stock was to be slaughtered, it would provide a good deterent preventing a good deal of the problem in the first place.

 

[Goldenstar]

If you believe that an animal's life has value, then, yes, it is right. I know of several horses that have been rescued near death from starvation and had recovered and gone on to be superb ridden horses. My own horse has given me enormous pleasure for the last 11 years. The vet originally recommended he should be PTS as he was so ill, but all he needed to recover, was good care and time, not thousands of pounds.

Perhaps if the racing industry didn't breed disposable horses the problem would be greatly reduced.

For the knowledgable TBs are a great way of getting quality good moving sport horses capable of many jobs .
I have one he's a great mover he's often mistaken for a warmblood / cross and he's just the most lovely horse .
I am just starting to look for another when I find it it will get the chance of a second life .
Far fewer TBs are being produced that's good the trainers should be braver and cull sadly those who are unsound or have rotten temperaments but there are really nice horses coming out of training if you pick well and have the facilities and skill to retrain them.

 

[eahotson]

This problem is just the same as with puppy farmers. Personally, I don't think it's the animals that need culling. Extremely harsh sentences on those who breed indiscriminantly, keep animals in horrendous conditions, and forfeiting any money and possessions to pay for their time in prison would be my preferred course of action...

Cull the breeders (irresponsible ones!) Thats a thought to play with!!!

 

[Goldenstar]

Why is then if you go to the All about Dogs area every one will tell you not to buy a dog from a breeder get a rescue ?
Why is the view on horses different ?
That's a question not a point of view I dont have an answer just curious why is it different for dogs .

 

[joeanne]

I guess the answer to that one is that we ride horses, and predominantly get them for exactly that reason. There are not many GOOD well schooled horses in rescue. There ARE lots of semi feral, poorly put together, and emotionally damaged animals. A dog whilst still a pet, is a pet with only one purpose in life, to be company for man. Matters not if he has the odd minor (or even sometimes major) health problem, he is only asked to do what he can. That is not the case for a horse or pony. It is expected to do a job for the most part.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I love horses passionately and hate the thought of any kind of mass cull but I genuinely believe it could be the only way forward.
Start using horses commercially for meat with strict regulations to ensure they would be cared for.
I think genuine horse lovers who really grasp the concept of where over breeding is going are over shadowed by the noisy fluffy types who cannot bear the thought of 'killing' an animal for any reason. Common sense really has to come into play somewhere. Instead of privately "rescuing" animals why not set up a standing order to a good horse welfare charity???
I fear there is no definitive answer while so many people refuse to see the bigger picture

 

[Arizahn]

Why is then if you go to the All about Dogs area every one will tell you not to buy a dog from a breeder get a rescue ?
Why is the view on horses different ?
That's a question not a point of view I dont have an answer just curious why is it different for dogs .

I am rehoming one of my dogs currently. She is of middle years, fit, healthy, no issues, but we are slowly falling apart physically ourselves and in the long term she will not be able to get enough exercise. Therefore we will either have to rehome or PTS.

But she will not be sent to a rescue or pound or foster care - she will be advertised via reputable rescues and kept until a suitable home is found. If a home cannot be found then we will PTS if needed. We will not send this dog into the system. Kennels and temporary homes would unsettle her, she would end up a mess. She is perfect currently, and will make a lovely family pet for someone. If we do not find a home within twelve months, then we will PTS.

To be frank, I am inclined to PTS rather than rehome. We are all she has ever known. I do not trust the human race at all. But husband is very emotionally invested and wants to try to rehome if possible. I feel that we should shuffle on as long as we can and then buy her a whole salmon to enjoy, take her for one last trip to the river, and PTS. I may still do this. We will have to see how things go.

I am not able to have another pet but if I were, then I would not take on a rescue unless direct from its previous home, and only then if I knew that it was a genuinely decent animal without dangerous issues. We have owned several rescues and have done our share of dealing with the ones that bite, thank you. Not sure what Dogs Trust are like, but do know that some of our local rescues and pounds give out seriously ill and occasionally actually dangerous animals.

And I actually hate the CPL. They are currently devoting ££££££s to rehoming an entire feral cat colony, but refused to take on ONE spayed female cat because she was not friendly enough. She was not friendly, as her previous owner mishandled her. She has since become very friendly, but the CPL can go whistle.

I do not have any issues with PTS - as someone with a degenerative health issue, I would actually prefer to have the option for myself as well. Yes, a mass cull of rescue animals would not go amiss. They have no quality of life in kennels. Many will be there for their entire lives. Barking/yowling and being ignored. But imo the charities make a lot of money out of housing them, so this is unlikely to happen.

To hell with it. Dog has been ours since a pup. We promised a home for life. I will push on and walk her myself until I am no longer able to, and then do the responsible thing by her. I will not like it, but at least I will not lie awake at night wondering if she is happy or safe. I now need to inform the people involved that we are not rehoming after all. Do not speak to me of dog walkers for hire. I am still gibbering over that debacle.

Am off the fence and standing by my principles. As who can tell if her new home would be for life? They could fall ill too, or suffer redundancy, etc. Maybe we all need to stop rescuing. Yes, step in and stop cruelty/neglect, quit breeding, but actually if we have a pet then for life should include PTS when you can no longer care for it. Not because it is no longer cute, etc, but if you actually physically cannot provide for it, then PTS. You have no way to protect that animal once you give it away.

I think the whole TV appeals through the 80s and 90s about rescue animals have brainwashed us as a culture into fearing PTS.

 

[Janesomerset]

This problem is just the same as with puppy farmers. Personally, I don't think it's the animals that need culling. Extremely harsh sentences on those who breed indiscriminantly, keep animals in horrendous conditions, and forfeiting any money and possessions to pay for their time in prison would be my preferred course of action...

Well said, Saneta! Starting with more than 8 weeks' jail for letting a pony hang itself over a cliff ... Pathetic sentencing.