I guess I can see both sides of the fence here. I have been called that proverbial animal abuser because I was trying to rehome some older horses that I have had here for 3 years. After having to tear down the unsafe corrals we have we did not have enough time to get enough corrals built for everything this year so felt it was in their best interest to try to rehome them as they would have to deal with 6 other younger horses this winter for feed. I was being picky about the homes they went to, but was still told I should not be allowed to have animals of any sort. On the other hand after loosing the majority of my chickens in 3 days, and then being handed a $1500 bill for lab work on those said dead birds, I will honestly say I could not afford that right at this moment (I will add this has been adjusted to a reasonable amount by my vet!). Hubby had been out of work for most of the summer, and then the gov`t laid a seize to our welding companies bank accounts, cleaned them out, only to find out that they did have the proper paper work file and in thier possession so now we sit and wait for the fundings back. They can take the cash by auto debit, but they cannot return it in this way. This being said, we could not pay ourselves out payroll, which puts us in a severe bind right now. My animals do all have feed, water, shelter and lots of love, but if that check does not get here by the end of Nov, I will be out of feed. I have already spoken to a neighbor who will kindly sell us grain and we can pay him once that money comes in or the next paycheck comes in whichever gets here first, but the fact is if I did not have an awesome neighbor my chickens would suffer. The other thing is I could not even give those birds away as my place is under quarantine right now.
I guess before we judge someone, we need to know the real situation. I totally agree those that use finances as an excuse to get away with it time and time again, do not deserve to have animals!!!! But sometimes something drastic happens all of a sudden and I do not believe those people should be judged too strongly. I know for myself if it had come down to not being able to feed my chickens or getting rid of them, I would have put them down, but in the same breath if it was going to be a day or two, I would also try to keep them going on household scraps ect for that day or 2. Am I wrong in wanting to try to keep the animals if I knew a check would be coming in the within a couple days. The birds would still be hungrier than they would on proper feed, but would have good feed within the day or 2. They would not be going totally hungry, but still not getting the proper food for those couple days. It is not a situation I have ever been in, but very well could have been if it weren`t for my neighbor!!
I guess before we judge someone, we need to know the real situation. I totally agree those that use finances as an excuse to get away with it time and time again, do not deserve to have animals!!!! But sometimes something drastic happens all of a sudden and I do not believe those people should be judged too strongly. I know for myself if it had come down to not being able to feed my chickens or getting rid of them, I would have put them down, but in the same breath if it was going to be a day or two, I would also try to keep them going on household scraps ect for that day or 2. Am I wrong in wanting to try to keep the animals if I knew a check would be coming in the within a couple days. The birds would still be hungrier than they would on proper feed, but would have good feed within the day or 2. They would not be going totally hungry, but still not getting the proper food for those couple days. It is not a situation I have ever been in, but very well could have been if it weren`t for my neighbor!!
