Having a pet needs to be a choice for life.
Rover has no behavioral issues, but suppose he's not good with babies or suppose they are too busy to worry about Rover any more. Or somebody gets a new boyfriend/girlfriend who doesn't like dogs, so Rover has got to go. That makes me crazy and those people are jerks.
So true
But there are people who have serious, life changing situation, that I understand. A few years ago, when the economy was worse, we encountered people who had lost jobs and were getting evicted from their homes and were forced to move into places that wouldn't take dogs, or people whose kids have developed serious, untreatable allergies. Yes, in some circumstances pets do need to be rehomed.
Losing a job and being forced to move is not a reason to get rid of a pet. You need to make smarter decisions. And look for places that take pets. Pets are a commitment for life. Period. Know that going into the pet acquisition process.
If you have to move, you take the pet. Ends of story.
It's all about education and making smarter decisions. It's not the cats fault you overextended yourself and took an interest only Balloon loan on a McMansion. You should not have done that.
If you are so poor with money management that you can't afford to feed a pet if you were to lose your job, don't get a pet.
If you loses your shiny fancy pants job, and can't get another one. Go work at Walmart. Suck it up, get a job, and feed / house the companion that you committed to.
This is the most important thing in any lifestyle change, financial or any other change. Mentally commit and don't back down. Make a mental change. You would not give away you kid, or your parent if you lost a job would you? Why would you give away a pet? You can find a way to keep your pet, you just need to make a sacrifice. None of this woe is me.