The number one reason is MOVING.
Karen Schei Donovan was kind enough to answer our interview questions today. She has recently moved.
How many pets do you have?
I have six pets. Four dogs,
one cat and a mini pot belly pig.
Kiara (Shepard Collie Mix)
Bolt (Border Collie)
Belle (Border Collie)
Jasper (Border Collie)
Spooky (cat)
Daisey (pig)
Bolt and Belle are married
(yes, we even had a ceremony) and they are mom and dad to Jasper. Jasper and
Daisey are best buddies and have even been found cuddling. Kiara is a beautiful
“Aunt” and the matriarch of the pack. Spooky does not appreciate the rest of
them much and he lives in a separate part of the house.
Yes, it is true. Although
we love them all very much, we do each have a pet that is closest to our
hearts. Kiara is the family pet but the others each “belong” to someone. Bolt
is my 13 year-old daughters dog. Jasper is Hunter’s dog. Belle is the rescue
that adopted me. And I have to be honest, my heart melts for my piggy, Daisey.
Not to leave Spooky out. He lives in my room but he is my daughter’s cat and
she adores him too.
 |
| Bailey and Daisey |
How do you manage a
multi-pet household?
I have learned to live in
total chaos. The dogs are very high energy and all of my pets are indoor
animals. In fact, Daisey even has her own bedroom. We have to let them out
either 1-2 at a time or we have to go out with them all. It is especially
difficult in the rainy season as they love to play in the mud (the dogs, not
Daisey). Feeding time is also a time we need to be careful. Bolt will bark for
us to feed them but he then waits until his family has finished eating before
he begins. Daisey must be put away when the dogs are fed or else she would
bully them out of their food and probably end up weighing 300 pounds! Having a
multi-pet household is definitely a challenge but I wouldn’t have it any other
way.
The number one reason for
relinquishing pets to the shelter (dogs, cats, AND pigs!) is WE'RE MOVING AND
WE CAN'T TAKE THE PETS. Does this work for you?
No! I recently found myself
in a position where I had to move out my home where I had lived for the past 21
years. I had to find a house to rent that would keep my kids in the same school
district and a house that would allow for my menagerie of animals. It was no
easy task but there was absolutely no way I was going to leave any of my
animals as they are our family.
Your dogs are what would be
considered "large dogs" by most landlords and management companies.
Did you have a problem finding a place?
Yes, it was difficult. We
were very fortunate to have found the home we are in now. It is all tile
downstairs and wood upstairs. The backyard has plenty of room for the animals
to run and play. It is like they have their own dog park! Our landlord was very
understanding and even lowered the pet deposit since it was originally $300 per
pet. So, although it isn’t easy, there are people out there willing to
accommodate pets.
That's a lot of pets to
move with! How did the move go? Was it hard settling in to the new place or did
they adjust quickly?
Kiara had the most trouble
with the move because she hates hard floors. She would often have to be carried
off the couch because she was afraid to get down and would whimper. It took her
about 3 weeks to get used to the floors. The other animals adapted very quickly.
Any advice for people
moving with pets?
It is worth the extra
trouble to look for a place that will allow multiple pets. There are places out
there so don’t give up! Your pets are your family. I would highly recommend
looking for a pet friendly home so you do not have to worry so much about any
damage. We were very happy to not have carpet any longer. I would also move
them over after much of your belongings are in place so it looks a little more
familiar to them and they have your smells.
What about you - have you ever had to move with pets? Have you struggled to find a new place that was pet friendly?
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