What's Happening?
Hazel, a Labrador and boxer mix, is currently under the care of Lost Our Home, a no-kill shelter in Tempe, Arizona, after being returned twice by adopters. Initially found as a stray in October 2024, Hazel was
adopted but returned due to unrealistic expectations and her high energy levels. Bryana Peters, the behavior and pathways manager at the shelter, describes Hazel as a beautiful, intelligent, and high-energy dog who thrives on activity and social interaction with other dogs. Hazel's story highlights the challenges faced by dogs in shelters, where behavioral issues and mismatched expectations often lead to returns. Studies indicate that many adopters have high expectations for their pets, which can lead to returns if the pets do not meet these expectations.
Why It's Important?
The situation with Hazel underscores the broader issue of pet returns in shelters, which can be attributed to behavioral challenges and unrealistic expectations from adopters. This highlights the need for shelters to provide better support and education for potential adopters to ensure successful pet adoptions. The case of Hazel also emphasizes the importance of understanding a pet's needs and ensuring that adopters are prepared for the responsibilities of pet ownership. Addressing these issues can help reduce the number of pets returned to shelters and improve the overall adoption process.
