Tears as Dog Surrendered Because She Was “Too Big”
A heartbreaking but enlightening TikTok video from the Southampton Animal Shelter in Hampton Bays, New York sheds a little light on why dogs end up in shelters. Dogs like Abigail—a mama dog who was living life on the streets in the Bahamas—are outliers; they come from humble beginnings with no family, but this isn’t the case for the vast majority of shelter dogs.
Dogs like Unique, Zachary, Luna, Ghost, and Ladybug are in the majority—their owners surrendered them to the shelter because their care was too much.
@southamptonanimalshelter Our animals come to us from all walks of life. No matter what the reason, each one deserves a shot at a second chance. Apply for one of our amazing dogs today. https://www.shelterluv.com/matchme/adopt/SASF/Dog #adoptdontshop #shelterdogs #doglover ♬ original sound – Southampton Animal Shelter
When Dogs Become More Than Their Owners Prepared For, Shelters Get New Residents
Unique—5-year-old Pit Bull mix—was surrendered to Southampton Animal Shelter because his humans moved, and he couldn’t come with. Ghost—a female mixed-breed—was relinquished to the shelter after her family went through major life changes, and she didn’t fit into their new plans.
Stories like this aren’t uncommon, and the vast majority of owner surrenders to shelters are due to the dog being too much for them to care for.
Ladybug—a 6-year-old mixed-breed—was once someone’s beloved pet, until they decided they didn’t want the responsibility of her medical care anymore and brought her to the shelter. Beautiful Siberian Husky Luna’s first family thought she was perfect when she was just a pup, but Luna didn’t stay a puppy, and they surrendered her to the shelter when she was barely a year old because she was “too big.” For context, most Siberian Huskies weigh between 35–60 pounds, and Luna only weighs 37 pounds.
Some cases aren’t just simple owner failure, but true cases of cruelty and neglect. Mercedes—a beautiful 2-year-old blue Pitbull—came to Southampton Animal Shelter after being seized by animal control as part of an animal abuse case. Poor Roxy—a brindle mixed-breed—was used by her previous owners as a backyard breeding dog, and they only brought her to the shelter because she could no longer have puppies.
Reasons for Rehoming & Surrendering Dogs To Animal Shelters
Approximately 46% of rehomed dogs are relinquished because of “pet problems.” This vague umbrella term covers everything from the dog having behavioral issues to the owner simply not having time for their pet. The other most common reasons dogs are rehomed include family problems (like divorce, death in the family, etc.) and housing insecurity.
Only around 1% of people who need to remove their dog choose to dump them or set them free, which is likely how dogs like Ginger, Austin, and Foxy end up being found as strays.
If you live in or near Hampton Bays, New York and want to adopt one of these sweet pups, fill out an adoption application with the Southampton Animal shelter. Otherwise, consider this a sign to visit your own local shelter and meet their adoptable dogs.