Hi everybody,

It's with great sadness that I need to post this, so please don't flame me.

My husband has had a sudden job offer overseas and we have to leave Canada within the next 4-5 weeks. Unfortunately we will be unable to take Kaya with us and we're hoping to place her into another loving home. We are totally broken-hearted about this, but need to do what is best for her

We are located in Toronto.

A few facts about Kaya:
She is 13 months old and weighs about 44 pounds. (20kg)
She is crate trained overnight
She knows how to walk on a treadmill
She has been spayed and micro-chipped
Incredibly gentle
Has been well socialised - she's also been going to doggy day camp about 2-3 times week.

She comes with her crate, leashes, toys etc.

Please PM me for any further info.

Thanks!

I'm sorry. Do you not have any family that could take her?

Why can't you take her with you? We've moved overseas and were always able to take our pets with us. I know some countries have quarantine laws, which suck. We even took a cat to Korea on a leash, and Koreans are known to not like cats much. Ha! Just curious as to which country you're moving to. I know they all have different, strange laws sometimes when it comes to pets from outside the country. Hope it all works out in the end for you. Like was previously posted, maybe give her to a family member, so you can get her back if/when you move back to Canada. Good luck!

Hi,
unfortunately we don't have any family in Canada and won't be returning either.
We are moving to Australia and she would have to spend about 5 months in quarantine.

Also, we are moving from a 4 bed home with a yard to a substantially smaller property. On top of which, Australian landlords are not very pet friendly and it can be hard to get a rental which will accept pets.

Does she have any tendencies we should know about? How is she with other dogs? Has she been to a dog park? What kind of food do you have her on (kibble/raw etc). I'll have to talk to the hubby and maybe ask around a bit. Where in TO are you located? I'm out in Mississauga...

That being said, I do think you need to hear this too. If I come off rude in any way, shape, or form, please know that I didn't mean it to come off that way...

Okay, you got a dog. You got a dog for as a lifetime commitment. I understand things happen, circumstances change... but this dog is part of your family now. If you had a kid, even if the kid had to be put into quarantine, I don't think that would stop you from taking your kid with you.

The quarantine thing can be a pain in the ass, but I've had Stark for 14 months now, and I would never let anything like a 5 month period stop me. It may just be for their best benefit that they stay with you.

So you have a smaller place... there are plenty of people here who live with a husky in an apartment. I know of people personally in town who have multiple huskies in apartments. Since you probably aren't using your backyard as the only mode of exercise for her, I don't think this would end up being that big of a difference.

The only ONLY thing I can see as being somewhat of a problem would be the flight down there. I'm not sure what airline you're flying, but certain airlines will allow you to bring your dog into the passenger section of the plane (most won't, but it won't hurt to ask). But, even after all that time in the air and the stress it can put on here, it will be NOTHING compared to the stress of her relocating to a perfect strangers house.

Where did you get Kaya? If she is from a good breeder, they will usually want first dibs if you ever think of rehoming one of their pups.

Do you have any friends that would be willing to take her in? They should be people she's spent the better part of her life growing up with - this won't be as stressful as a complete stranger... So I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record, but rehoming should be the very very last option that someone should look to if they're just moving out of the country.

UndarthAngipoo wrote:

So you have a smaller place... there are plenty of people here who live with a husky in an apartment. I know of people personally in town who have multiple huskies in apartments. Since you probably aren't using your backyard as the only mode of exercise for her, I don't think this would end up being that big of a difference.

Two and a half huskies in an apartment here. I do agree a bit.. my pups are my kids. I never want human children, because my dogs are my life and soul, I could never part with them. Its frustrating not having much room in a small apartment living with my mom, but I'm /still/ searching for some place that I can afford that will allow me to have three dogs. But they get plenty of exercise and are happy and healthy, as long as I know their needs are met I could never part with them just because I live in a small apartment.

I don't know your situation. I'm just telling you mine. 5 months in quarantine would be unbearable.. but giving them up and never seeing them again would be unthinkable. If there's any way you can take her with you, I'd take the chance. Call around now ahead of time to available rentals to see if they allow sibes. Talk to landlords and explain the situation.. you never know what could happen and who might allow her there. And if all else fails, I agree with Erica's post below to at least find someone with prior sibe experience who will be able to meet her needs and ensure she won't be bounced around homes.

Thank you all for your input - I totally understand where you are all coming from.

Angela - she is on kibble, has been to the dog park and is good with other dogs. Having been to doggy day camp quite often too, she is well socialised.
I am located in Thornhill.

Yes, the quarantine is a pain, I agree. However on top of the 5 months, it also costs $40 a day to have her in the quarantine, which comes to approx $6000 and that excludes the $2000 to ship her and the blood work and paperwork etc, so approx $8500 all up. As I say, the move is quite sudden and not something where we expected to have to come up with such a large sum.

Australian quarantine is quite complicated. Once the dog is put onto the flight they have to go as cargo. You cannot have any contact with them or collect them yourselves in Australia and take them to quarantine - it's a fairly complex procedure and all animals have to be handled by the quarantine staff. She would be taken from the airport to the quarantine station.

In Canada I have been fortunate that I was able to be at home to spend time with her. In Australia I won't have that luxury as I will be needing to work full time. This means that she will be crated all day regardless of the size of our new home. I just can't bear to do that to her.

We got Kaya from a lovely breeder near Montreal. We actually drove to her farm and inspected the conditions. Unfortunately I was just informed today that the breeder passed away last weekend from cancer. I had written to her to ask for her assistance, but only received a reply back today from her husband as to what had happened.

We don't have any friends that would like to take her - we've only been in Canada for 2 years, and we've only had Kaya since about August last year, so unfortunately we don't know anybody.

Megan, thanks for the reply. I have spoken with a number of rental agencies already - not one of them has anything on their books which would allow us to have a pet. Having lived in Australia for 11 years, I know how hard it is to convince a landlord to take pets. Most houses have wooden floors and nobody wants dogs running around in their investment properties, scratching up the floor and digging up the garden.

I might get a lot of hate for this but I think you should re-home her preferably with someone that she has known her whole life, or with someone who has huskies and has lots of experience. I can't imagine keeping my huskies quarantined for 5 months, and not having them with me, plus what a horrible 5 months for her to go through to only be some what ignored when she gets there with you, where you will be working. I personally would NEVER move any where that my dogs could not go straight there, and I couldn't drive, no money in the world would be worth that for me, but to each their own and you might not have a choice where I don't know your circumstances so who am I to judge. Plus if she has any kind of anxiety, I'm sure that would be much harder on her, and it doesn't sound like you want it to be an option which makes me seem like rehoming her with a family who is willing to do everything for her, is what she deserves. Hopefully you will find someone (maybe on here) who can take her and give her the loving wonderful home.

Whoa, Bev, the breeder thing is pretty unlucky... Do you know what's happening to all her other dogs?

I'll keep looking and asking around. When are you guys planning on leaving?

Quarantine is tough, especially for 5 months. I think in this specific scenario re-homing her is the responsible decision. All of my rescue dogs have become completely comfortable with us within a month of living here. 5 months kenneled up is not fair especially considering the monetary cost. If it were me, I wouldn't move lol! But if you are for certain moving and there's no way around that- finding her a home is, I think, in her best interests in the end.

Are you planning on asking for a rehoming fee? And, which kennel is she from? I have a couple of people that might be interested, but those are the questions I haven't been able to answer...

How is she with cats?

Thanks all again for replying. I will try to answer all the new questions:

Yes, it is very sad that the breeder passed away. Her site is still online as her husband is now going to try and find places for all the remaining and upcoming pups. There are a number of adult dogs as well, not sure what his plans are for those.

The link is:
http://siberianhuskypupsforsaleontario.com/

We have a departure date around the 10th of August.

Re: cats - I have no idea how she would be with cats - my son is allergic, so she hasn't really had contact with them unless she's seen them at the local Petsmart

Re: re-homing fee - I think it would be fair to ask around $400 as she is both spayed and micro-chipped. She also comes with her crate, toys, leashes etc - whatever I can find.

$400 rehoming fee? Really? Trying to recoup fees for spaying/whatever is a little ridiculous in a situation like this. Yes, it's horrible that you have to part with her but you are making that decision. Vet costs are part of owning an animal, which is supposed to be a lifetime commitment. If you have to break that commitment, that's just the sacrifice you need to make. I think you need to be more concerned with just finding her a good home.

Sorry if that's harsh, but it bothers me.

Hi Sara, I apologise if you think it's too high - I have never re-homed a dog before and thought it was a reasonable price for a quality pet.
Of course I am happy to be flexible for the right person.

I commend you for trying to find a good home instead of dumping her at a shelter which is probably what happens far too often. I pray someone on here knows someone to take her. Please keep us informed and good luck with your move.

Just a perspective on the re-homing fee. I can understand where you probably paid a hefty price for your puppy, as I know I did with my first puppy. And it surely isn't to say your baby Kaya isn't worth the money, but most who have rescued and a good chance is that whomever is willing to take Kaya in will be adding her to a home that already has a husky (or two). They certainly aren't cheap to feed, house, or keep occupied with the many toys they destroy. Knowing and having the peace of mind that Kaya would be in a good home hopefully will far outweigh any costs you may have incurred. It may even be someone who can send you pictures and keep you updated. (I still keep my rescue's previous owner up to date and he LOVES to see the pictures).

Best of luck! I know this can't be easy for you but trust your instincts and I am sure Kaya will have a great future!

Honestly, I'd recommend cutting the rehoming fee in half. I know in my area (which could be totally different than yours) you can find friendly dogs for adoption for $150. I've heard of some people who adopt dogs about a year, year and a half old because the major pet & vet expenses are taken care of... just some food for thought.

I also would rethink the rehoming fee. Yes, you want at least /a fee/ to insure someone isn't going to take a free dog and chain it in a backyard, however to me you're coming off as "this is a quality product, its worth at least $400". Dogs are not items and you are re-homing, not re-selling. However this is only how you are coming across to me. If that was not your intention, I apologize, this is just my perception, and I feel some other people may be perceiving it this way.

I agree that in your situation rehoming her is best.to think that she can't adjust to a new home is to ignore all the adult dogs who have found love adopted out to a new home. As much as we love our dogs like children, they are not humans and she will not suffer irreperable emotional damage from having a new family, albeit their will be some stress for her for awhile.

As for the $400... I agree, it is too much. I understand you want to assure she gets a good home, but it will turn a lot of adopters off. I take excellent care of my dogs, give them the best of everything and spend a ridiculous amount of money on them- which would leave me very hesitant to take in a lovely dog in need if I would also be spending that much in order to do so. I'm not in Canada, so perhaps things are different there, but most adoption fees here are in $100-$200 range. If I were in your situatio, I would even waive the adoption fee altogether if I found a great home. I would personally visit the home she is going to before I ever let her go though. A person who genuinely cares will not hesitate to make that accomodation for you. I hope you find her a lovely home soon!