The most often heard reason by far "We are moving and can't take him with us."

"The breed was wrong choice for our family."

"I'm bored with this breed and want a different one."

"Needs more attention."

"He is untrainable."

"Kids not interested anymore."

"Work long hours."

"I'm giving him up because he no longer matches my carpet."

"Health problems cost too much."

"Cries/barks when left at home all day."

"Ate my favorite shoes."

"We got new furniture and they do not match, (this was about 2 cats)."

"Getting a divorce."

"He's too active."

"Moving and can't take him."

"Just didn't want her, so put her out in the cold and snow and wouldn't let her back in.

"Costs too much money."

"Cramps my style."

"Wasn't prepared for all the grooming."

"Knocks the kids down."

"Eats too much."

"Poops too much."

" I'm going on vacation..."

"He ate his leash."

The owners could not care for him because they are over the road truck drivers...

"Having a baby."

"Doesn't like other animals"

" What do you mean I can't leave it outside all night."

"I don't have the money to give it heart worm meds."

"It smells my house up."

" It just doesn't fit my life style."

"I'm leaving the country."

"Killed another family pet."

The worst excuse is none animal is just dumped. We don't know if he's had his shots, or if he needs special food or medication, how old he is.

"Got the pet, then the landlord found out (non-pet housing)."

"Have too many (and don't believe in spaying or neutering)."

"New carpets and upholstery, and there is too much dirt now."

"We don't want her. If you don't take her right now we will kill her."

"He has fleas."

"It keeps getting grass on the patio."

"He needs room to run."

"Our back yard has poison ivy and we don't want our son going out there to play with him."

"Our backyard is full of stickers and if his feet just aren't tough enough to handle it, well, we can't keep him."

"I can't cope."

"It's always mounting my female."

"It is messy"

Owner illness/death

"We bought a smaller vehicle for better gas mileage and the dog is too big for it."

"I'm going away/on vacation (Pound population surges just before Christmas and during the summer)."

"I've redecorated and he clashes."

"I've stopped wearing beige; I need a pet in black."

"I'm getting new furniture and/or carpet, and want it to stay nice."

"I'm tired of him."

"He's too much trouble."

"I don't have time anymore."

"This isn't a cool enough pet anymore; I want the hottest, trendiest one."

"He needs medical care and I don't want to pay for it."

"Breeding my purebred turned out to be too much work / not profitable enough, so here's the pregnant mom and sire or mom and litter or just the mom."