Surrendering dog due to COVID?

[Anonymous]

We were just informed that the dog we are in the process of adopting was surrendered to the rescue because its owners said they are afraid it will expose their family to COVID. I was surprised to hear this, but some cursory Googling confirmed that, yes, people have indeed been surrendering their dogs for this reason. My question is: does this sound like a made-up reason? The dog is 4 years old. I am a first-time dog owner, but I would think by the time a dog is 4 you are already pretty attached to it, no? They did not cite any behavior issues when surrendering (the foster family caring for the dog has indicated no behavior issues, either, and says he's a sweet boy), and they turned over the dogs's medical records, which indicate no major health issues. I'm stumped.

[Anonymous]

Bizarre. Just take him and love him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bizarre. Just take him and love him.

+1000. Dog needs love. Win-win, OP.

[Anonymous]

Several years ago, we adopted a male cat. Previous owner surrendered him because a roommate was afraid of the cat. We had him for 19 years and he was the sweetest guy, not a mean bone in his body. People are strange. Get the dog and enjoy him, their loss, your gain!

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't you ask an actual vet?

[Anonymous]

Well duh, because the others got tired of being a dog-owner.

[Anonymous]

Bizarre. Give that pup a home!

[Anonymous]

Some people are crazy.

[Anonymous]

They may have had health issues (immunocompromised) and were unable to continue to care for the dGoing out for walkse area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They may have had health issues (immunocompromised) and were unable to continue to care for the dGoing out for walkse area

Going out for walks, etc. May have been too much additional exposure for the previous owner. I hope for you that this is a loved pet who will fit right in to your home.

[Anonymous]

There are some very paranoid, OCD people regarding the issue of COVID. This sounds like something my mother would do. She is so stressed about getting COVID she invents new rules every day.

[Anonymous]

Its one of two things.

1. its a convenient excuse for someone who was already looking to get rid of the dog. No one wants to question a person's response to Covid to their face

2. They are on the severe anxiety/illogical people who have responded to Covid and they do have a genuine fear of this.

Both are plausible. I know people who would fit into each category

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for weighing in, all. The funny thing is, I have anxiety and am OCD myself, so it's not like I don't sympathize with the effect COVID has on people like me. But this just seems so off, even to me. I wonder what a dog must go through when it is surrendered by its people. We are going to move ahead with the adoption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its one of two things.

1. its a convenient excuse for someone who was already looking to get rid of the dog. No one wants to question a person's response to Covid to their face

2. They are on the severe anxiety/illogical people who have responded to Covid and they do have a genuine fear of this.

Both are plausible. I know people who would fit into each category

Interesting you don’t have a #3. Someone in the family has COVID or is recovering from COVID and can no longer care for the dog. Or #4. Someone lost their job due to COVID and can no longer afford a dog. Or #5. Due to having a risk factor for COVID can no longer walk the dog or go outside. Maybe they live in a condo and don’t want to go into an elevator multiple times a day. So many reasons that don’t insult someone’s fear of catching ill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its one of two things.

1. its a convenient excuse for someone who was already looking to get rid of the dog. No one wants to question a person's response to Covid to their face

2. They are on the severe anxiety/illogical people who have responded to Covid and they do have a genuine fear of this.

Both are plausible. I know people who would fit into each category

Interesting you don’t have a #3. Someone in the family has COVID or is recovering from COVID and can no longer care for the dog. Or #4. Someone lost their job due to COVID and can no longer afford a dog. Or #5. Due to having a risk factor for COVID can no longer walk the dog or go outside. Maybe they live in a condo and don’t want to go into an elevator multiple times a day. So many reasons that don’t insult someone’s fear of catching ill.

This-many plausible reasons from the totally crazy / mean / irrational to totally reasonable. If the dog is a good fit for your family, go for it!