The phrase "change of circumstances" is ringing out amongst animal rescue centres and pounds across Northern Ireland, as increasing numbers of dog owners hand over their responsibilities to charities who can't say no.
The catch-all phrase includes some genuine, tragic and unavoidable situations where owners become sick, pass away or simply grow too frail to look after their beloved companion; others have been made homeless or just can not meet the animal's care costs.
But most situations are a result of poor planning, change of heart, lack of interest or research and often, the simple lack of compassion.
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Today one rescue is calling out the excuse as colleagues right across Northern Ireland face a tsunami of pets in need, pushing them to breaking point.
Because when a dog no longer fits with a family's plan coupled with little or no effort to find a solution, the rescues still open their doors rather than seeing an animal dumped on a roadside and abandoned to fate.
Suzanne Rutherford said: "It would be incredible if there was no need for rescue groups but we're here to help because some circumstances are out of people's control and we understand that and we work with absolute compassion.
"But it's the other situations which are entirely unavoidable, just some notion, some change of heart, that are crippling us, the people who claim a change of circumstances is enough to walk away from their responsibilities."
Some of the real reasons discovered behind the "change of circumstances" excuse
- Older person can't cope with a pup gifted to them
- Dog bought as a sticking plaster in a broken relationship
- Dog keeps escaping
- No time for the dog
- Dog is too big, too small, too noisy, too old, too young, too smelly
- Having a baby
- Buying a younger dog
- Moving house
- Changing jobs
- Back to work in the office
- Dog not house trained
- Lifetime medical costs
- Dog doesn't like new boyfriend/girlfriend
- Bored with the dog
Suzanne Rutherford who co-founded Friends of Rescue, believes the situation is out of control. She says people are still buying puppies with little idea or concern about how much work they are and what good ownership entails.
And she says her team hears the "change of circumstances" phrase repeatedly, most often in avoidable situations.
Friends of Rescue has spent almost £220,000 in just five years on vets fees for the sick, abandoned and neglected pets they have taken in, pets the public have handed over or simply abandoned.
She said: "And it's only getting worse. People need to think before they act. Buying a pup for a relative who can't cope with pup, buying a dog as a sticking plaster in a broken relationship, buying a dog for an already too busy household, doing no research on the breed, assuming having a pup is all about fun and nothing about socialising, training, it all adds up to a mess that we're left to clean up - and it's crippling just about every rescue in the country.
"If I had a pound for every time I've heard there's been a change in circumstances, we wouldn't have to worry about fundraising. It's just not good enough.
"Some cases are entirely genuine and terrible for the people involved and we understand and help in every way we can. But we know the genuine ones from the easy excuses .. and the worst thing is, there's no guarantee the these people won't do it again."
Every penny spent by Friends of Rescue has been raised through donations from the public but rather than getting on top of the problem of unwanted pets, the demand for help is only growing as more and more dogs find themselves a victim of what is now described as "a change of circumstances".
And the cost of compassion to rescue groups is vast. At Friends of Rescue in the North West, they have revealed their massive expenditure since they set up in 2017, with vet bills amounting to £218,546.50 and their current outstanding bill sitting at almost £5,000.
Suzanne from the charity, said: "It’s a difficult time. We are being crippled by people not thinking ahead, not putting a plan in place in case life changes, not prioritising a dog as a family member.
"And we along with other rescues are left to handle the mess, but today our vet bill is so high looking after these dogs, that we can do no more. We have no free fosters as our fosters situation is also dire ... worse than it’s ever been before.
"Today we can only concentrate on the animals currently in our care as rehoming has also been extremely slow, so fundraising to get our bill down has to be our priority at the moment.
"We are once again temporarily closed, and we hate having to do this but we must to be able to get on our feet and keep helping, because the public keep buying dogs they don't keep.
"We need help to foster the animals we look after, we need help to pay essential vets' fees, we need to find the right homes for animals to give them another chance at life and of course we need to buy food for the animals in our care, keep them clean, warm and healthy.
"Today our total bill is £4671.12 and it is rising daily. It feels like madness and we are struggling. The figure beside our outstanding bill is £218,546.50 which is the total bill at our main vets since Friends of Rescue began.
"As always, if you can help us please do, as without you we literally cannot carry on. To donate you can contact our vets Vets4Pets Crescent Link in person or via phone on 02871314420. Or donate via our Paypal account at www.paypal.me/friendsofrescue or check out our donation page on our merchandise shop where you can donate by debit/credit card right here: friendsofrescuemerch.square.site/donate ."
Brodie, 5 months. Change in family circumstances.
Cocker terrier mix Brodie was given up following a change in his family’s circumstances. She is fit and healthy and ready to find a home who will love her all of her life.
Ivy, 5. Change in home circumstances.
Patterdale Terrier Ivy's first family were made homeless and her second family abandoned her at kennels and now she is ready for happy home who know terriers.
Miley, 7 months. Dumped.
A pure bred Collie, she was dumped, matted, dirty and terrified, she has been learning to loved and is still waiting for her forever home.
Dougal, 2. Change in home circumstances.
Dougal was left in the dog pound. He is gentle and loving but cannot live with other dogs or cats.
Peggy, 6. No longer useful to breeder.
Peggy Pug is the epitome of overbreeding for aesthetics. She has a scar on her tummy which appears to be a section scar and now she is no longer useful. Breeding machine given up with an ear infection, a skin infection and her nostrils are severely infected, gum disease and infected teeth. Undergoing surgery to widen her nostrils to help her breathe.
Willow, 5 months. Disabled and unwanted.
Pure bred Collie Willow, she has not had a single enquiry but would make a fantastic companion and is learning hand signals and will live a long and healthy life in the right home.
Harley, 12. Owner passed away.
Beagle mix Harley's mum passed away and his world has been turned upside down and now he needs a loving retirement home.
Pepe, 1. Dumped.
Arrived at Friends of Rescue in a horrendous state, emaciated with lots of cuts and sores all over his wee body with only his lovely nature in tact. Love, food and recuperation have transformed him and he's ready for a loving home.
Abbie, 8. Owner's health failed.
German Shepherd Abbie found herself in the pound due to her owner's ill-health and was then labelled as “undesirable” and was due to be put to sleep just because she is not keen on other dogs. Friends of Rescue took her in, saying: "We thought it was ridiculous to put her to sleep , and now having assessed her in foster it's even more ridiculous, as even though she doesn't like dogs, this girl has so much to give her new family. She is intelligent, beautiful and loving."
Friends Of Rescue was formed in 2017 with the aim of helping with the growing problem of unwanted and stray cats and dogs in the North West of Northern Ireland.
A foster based rescue, they rely on dedicated volunteers who open their hearts and their homes to care for the animals in care while the team searches for the perfect home for them.
But increasing costs are pushing everyone to the limit meaning finding foster home is getting more difficult. Suzanne said: "Our foster carers are the backbone of what we do and without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. To open your home to an animal, often with health issues, is a selfless act and one we are eternally grateful for.
"The following we have built online and the support we continue to receive from the public is what allows us to keep doing what we do. What started as a small endeavour has grown year on year, to the point where we rehome hundreds of animals each year to new, loving homes.
"We now have a foster network right across the country and are able to help animals from all corners of Northern Ireland and we need more, many, many more."
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