10/02/2025
One of THE best posts I've ever seen.
Your not doing your dog a favour by getting rid of them.
Your just taking the easy option.
And yes, there are genuine occasions... and I use the word "occasions " on purpose...
We are receiving at least 10 surrender requests daily.... and 9 of them are absolute Bulls .
"My German shepard is guarding my family" - yes that's what they do!
"My collie won't stop herding the kids" -
Yes it's what they do!
My toy breed growled when the kids pulled its tail - "yes thats what they do".
My mali needs too much exercise ( recent one from last thursday!)
You went out and Choose the dog you have, no matter where it came from - pound / rescue / bought / bred.
It's now YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
🐾 𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴’𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🐾
Recently, we have seen an overwhelming number of surrender requests, not just in Leitrim, but all across Ireland. Many of these are from owners who feel they no longer have the time to care for their dogs due to work commitments. While we understand that life can be busy, we want to remind everyone: 𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 40 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 168 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹.
Yes, there are 168 hours in a week, and even if you're away for 40 hours due to work, your dog still spends the majority of that time in their familiar home. Dogs are incredibly resilient and often sleep or rest for 12 to 14 hours a day 💤.
Having the security of their own home - even if they're alone for a portion of the day - is much better than the stress of being surrendered to a kennel.
🐕 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
Many of the surrender requests we're receiving are for dogs over 3 years old. These dogs have formed deep bonds with their families, and surrendering them causes tremendous emotional stress. Although kennels provide care, they can never replace the sense of security that comes from being in a home 🏠.
Once surrendered, these dogs often feel confused and anxious, and many struggle to adjust to a new environment or bond with new families. The truth is, in most cases, their new home will also involve full-time workers, meaning the dog will still be alone for a portion of the day - but now, in unfamiliar surroundings.
🐾 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘃𝘀. 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
We fully understand that, under certain circumstances, people genuinely need to surrender their pets due to unavoidable work commitments. Life changes, and sometimes there are no other options. However, we believe that many surrender situations are avoidable with a little more commitment and responsible pet ownership. It's important to explore alternatives - such as hiring a dog walker, asking family for help, or using doggy daycare - before making the difficult decision to surrender. With proper planning, many work-related issues can be managed, keeping your dog happy at home.
🐶 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘆: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
We ask everyone considering adopting or buying a dog to think carefully about the 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. A dog’s lifespan is typically about 14 years, and they depend on you for stability, love, and care. If you’re unsure whether you can provide for your dog’s needs for their entire life, please reconsider getting a dog 🐕.
Dogs aren’t just pets - they’re family.
Yes, most of us work full-time, but that doesn't mean you can't give your dog a happy and fulfilling life. Dogs thrive on routine, and even if you're away for part of the day, they will still have the comfort of their home and the love of their family. 🐾
🏡 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 - 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸
We know it’s challenging to balance work and pet ownership, but remember: your dog would rather be at home waiting for you after work than spend their days in a kennel. Even with a busy schedule, there are ways to ensure your dog remains happy and healthy. Whether it's hiring a dog walker, enlisting help from family or friends, or using doggy daycare, there are solutions to avoid surrendering your dog.
Before surrendering your dog, please consider the emotional toll it takes on them. Their entire world is turned upside down when they lose their home and family. 🐾
💡 𝗗𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: 𝗔 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
As surrender rates continue to rise across Ireland, we urge potential buyers and adopters to think ahead and do their research. Dogs need consistent care and attention for their entire lives. Their happiness and wellbeing depend on your commitment. If you’re not ready for that responsibility, it’s best to wait until you are.
Your dog’s life is in your hands - please make decisions with their long-term happiness in mind. 🐶❤️
🇮🇪 The Haven Rescue is a small group of volunteers who have the same approach to animal welfare... at the moment, we are based in Roscrea, co.
