i have volunteered in shelters. people put down fake reasons for surrenders all the time. they just don’t want to put down ‘we don’t want to take care of him anymore’.
if pets are considered kids’ responsibilities when (WHEN) the kids lose interest the parents haven’t ever recognized the pets were ultimately their responsibilities and that’s when fido or fluffy gets turned in. some get them very young and don’t want to pay for spays/neuters to mellow behavior, so they get turned in.
many ways to rationalize it.
all’my guys are rescues. i vowed to all that this was their forever home. no matter what. i’d make sure i would always take care of them if i was alive.