A never-ending stream of excuses

People are full of shit. When they bring in animals to surrender, we have to ask them why. In fact, we have to get more specific than, "I don't feel like it anymore" or "He gets on my nerves" or "I can't take care of him." A lot of the time, when asked for more information, people lie.

"I'm allergic" to the pet I've had for 5 years, really means, "I've had this cat since it was a kitten and I'm getting married and my husband doesn't like my cat, so I'm getting rid of it because I need another person to validate my self-worth."

"He's got too much energy" because I'm too lazy to take him for walks, and for some reason letting him loose in the backyard only gets him more amped up.

"My kids aren't taking care of the pet" and I'm going to set a great example and get rid of it for them, because responsibility is not a thing I'm teaching my children, and certainly not the value of another life. Mommy and Daddy are going to solve all your problems, you can just live in the basement until you're 35.

Not only that, but many people simply do not care about their pets. Newsflash, but most of the people who work at animal shelters (in my experience) are there because they care about animals. Definitely not people. So, consider yourself judged if you surrender a pet for some crap reason. We've had people with cancer going into treatment centers try their damnedest to rehome their pets, and use the shelter as a last resort. That's why we're here. When your brother-in-law dies and you can't take his dog because you already have 3 kids, 2 cats and a dog, we understand. We'll do our best to find their pet a home. We try for every pet, no matter the folly of their previous owner.

But you, guy who said he'd rather his dog be dead than be crated while he was at work, are a dick. I don't think you understand the difference between death and boredom. Yeah, we'll probably find a better home for your dog and your dog will thank us later, but that doesn't make it right and that doesn't make you a good pet owner. You are the problem, you are the reason I have a job. Your dog being adopted means that the other good dogs, the ones who were really in need, are still waiting. And after a few months, when they lose their minds, they'll be put down.

All because you didn't want to crate your dog.