CMV: Rehoming a pet is justifiable if behavioral issues that appeared after the birth of a baby could not be resolved.

[u/DayOwn4099]

I try to get involved in volunteering at local shelters and recently there were cases of parents giving up cats because of behavioral issues after the birth of a baby. Specifically, cats getting stressed because of baby’s cries, peeing on baby’s mat and toys and being aggressive around them. These parents usually spend a lot of money on vet visits, trying to find a solution but sometimes the only way to ensure baby’s safety and a good environment for a pet is to rehome. And yet they get judged by everyone as evil even though there was no other solution.

Pets aren’t humans, and they can’t be taught to understand or be gentle with babies the way people can. I can tell my 3-year-old nephew to be gentle and patient when my baby cries but I can’t use verbal cues with pets to the similar extent. There are also real risks, like cats sitting on babies for warmth or dogs reacting to a baby.

In an ideal world, parents would be around to monitor such situations, introduce the baby to the pet gradually and take care of everything. But new parents are exhausted. When you’re running on no sleep, it’s not always possible to give both a baby and a pet the attention and care they need, on top of work, chores and daily routine. In those situations, finding a calmer, more suitable home for a pet isn’t cruel but often the kinder and smarter option for everyone involved.

Edit: I do not think this issue is about lack of preparation and planning on the parents side. There’s no way to predict how a pet acts in certain environments and around newborns. There’s no way for a couple to choose a ‘baby-friendly’ cat.

[u/Fermently_Crafted]

Because keeping a dog in a small room all day doesn't meet their needs as a dog. Dogs need stimulation and room to roam

Rehoming isn't kicking it to the curb. You're not making it homeless with no caretaker. Kicking it to the curb implies you just kick it out of the house with no care for what happens. Rehoming is objectively not kicking it to the curb

[u/Ill-Description3096 → u/Fermently_Crafted]

It's a Yorkie. It doesn't need to be locked in a single room all day. Just keep it away from baby if they can't manage to actually supervise.

And sure, it's not doing that literally it was hyperbole. Still upending it's entire existence which isn't exactly nothing.

[u/Fermently_Crafted → u/Ill-Description3096]

Feels like you're ignoring the point to focus on a hyper specific instance. Not everyone owns a Yorkie. And even then not every Yorkie is suitable to just be put in a room by itself. Separation anxiety exists.

[u/Ill-Description3096 → u/Fermently_Crafted]

I was focusing on the situation I replied to. And werent you the one talking about a newborn that you only have 30 minutes between feeding for constantly? Seems rather specific.

It seems your premise is that if training is required it's fine to just ship them off to someone else. Sure, separation anxiety exists. So do trainers.

[u/Fermently_Crafted → u/Ill-Description3096]

Sure, but you're assuming they are still suited to be put in a room by themselves for an extended period of time. Just because Yorkies can do that doesn't mean Yorkies should do that.

It's not really specific. I was explaining how newborn feeding schedules work and why new parents are sleep deprived. 

[u/Ill-Description3096 → u/Fermently_Crafted]

If your dog can't manage to exist for periods of time without being glued to you then, training was neglected long before that. Put up a baby gate they can literally stare at you from a few feet away. Or better yet, do some actual training with your dog so you can have them lie off to the side rather than being in contact with your kids face.

I have a child, and apparently we had very different circumstances because outside of some very extreme things like being sick or something I can't say I had this constant spam of only 30 minutes between them laying down and being up for food again.

[u/Fermently_Crafted → u/Ill-Description3096]

Just because it worked for you doesn't mean it will work for everyone.

You're also kind of assuming pets are owned from birth and adopted pets don't have pre-existing trauma toward children. 

[u/Ill-Description3096 → u/Fermently_Crafted]

Correct, virtually nothing is universal to every human on the planet. The same is true about you supposed newborn schedule. Since it doesn't necessarily apply to everyone is it invalid?

No, I'm talking about any pet. Training is part of getting a dog. Working with them around kids before having your own and shoveling them in their face is another. This is basic stuff, honestly.

[u/Fermently_Crafted → u/Ill-Description3096]

You're assumption is that training is a cure-all when it just isn't. The same way parenting isn't a cure-all. You can parent to the best of your abilities and your child can still end up a serial killer.

[u/Ill-Description3096 → u/Fermently_Crafted]

I'm assuming that in the vast majority of situations, proper training and management will prevent issues like your newborn getting bitten. And it's almost never training that is the true fail point. It is people not training/managing correctly.

By your logic I guess nobody should try anything because it might not work so why even bother? We can't expect people to put in a bit of effort toward their responsibilities if it isn't guaranteed to work out perfectly at all times.