Thinking about getting out of leos

[heathers*bps]

So for the past few weeks, I have been thinking that it may be time to let my leos go. Since I have been working full time, plus schooling and everything else going on in my life, and they are mostly a daily care animal, I just feel that I don't have enough time for them anymore. I am seriously stressing out over this decision, as I love my leos very much ( and some of them I have had for 4-5 years! ) But I want to do what's right for them, and myself.

I'm just looking for advice, thoughts, suggestions. For those of you that have decided to give up on a project, what was it that finally helped you make that decision? I swear, I'm losing sleep over this

[RobNJ]

If time for them is the major issue, letting them go may be the right thing to do. That is a major gauge when it comes to my snakes...if/when I ever feel like I don't have the proper time to devote to them, I need to cut back or sell them off. Also, when you put yourself under severe time constraints, as much as you may love your geckos, their care may become more of a chore than a source of enjoyment...and nobody wants a hobby that seems like work.

On the other hand, if you're just feeling a little overwhelmed, but can work through it and get yourself sorted out to the point where it's not always a rush and a "need to do", keep them. Either way, best of luck with whatever you choose, and should you decide to give them up, there will still be geckos there for you if/when you want to get back into them.

[dart]

I'd only give up on a project if it went from being fun to being work. I enjoy the time I spend with my animals. I commute 2 1/2 hrs a day, work 10 hour days, have a wife and newborn, but I STILL find the time to take care of my animals because I enjoy doing it.

If I ever thought to myself, "man, I don't want to clean all my snakes cages, weight them and feed them today" I'd sell every snake I have. Buuuut, when it comes to my rats, now that's a different story. They really are work, but worth it.

[h00blah]

Sounds like you're under a lot of stress and you need to trim off whatever might be the easiest to let go of.. I'm not saying it's easy, but school, work, and everything else you require for your future should come first. I think you should adopt them to people who will give them great homes! You should feel better knowing that they're going to live the lives you would have given them. They'll scarf on all the bugs and calcium their little tummies can take! When everything starts to settle down, and once you've gotten the hang of everything, you can slowly start to grow your collection from scratch!

[Pampho85]

That's a sad thought. But, it's understandable, if you don't have time to take care of the animal, there's no point in still keeping them. As much as it hurts for me to say this, schooling and jobs are more important then keeping animals. However, if there is any other way you can keep them, like for instance, reducing the number that you have to a few of them, then that's another option.

Do you know of anyone who's willing to look after them for you or help care for them? That could be another option until you get more time on your hands.

Either way, do what you think you'll be able to manage. Good luck!

[Vasiliki]

Be honest with yourself.

If you honestly feel that you would feel more comfortable without your leopard geckos, then you need to do what's best for both yourself, and for them. At the end of the day it's about being a happy household. You taking care of your critters and enjoying them, and them being happy because they're properly cared and interacted with.

Leos especially can be quite the social butterflies.

Rather than get rid of them all at once, which would likely be quite the shock to your system since you've had them so long, try finding a really nice, really loving home for one. Start with worrying about just one, since that's a single step at a time. Wait and see how you feel. If you want to proceed with another, rehome another one and find a good home.

This way you can adapt to it, you can feel like you're not pressured, you can get comfortable and you can feel like you're doing your best at finding them individual homes to meet their needs.

It's okay to let our animals go sometimes. Some people are so afraid of being judged, but the truth is, I appluade you for considering that your life might be impacting theirs. That is more responsible than most owners who just try to 'struggle through' hard times and end up neglecting their animals, only to give them up later for a silly excuse.

Sit down, spend some time thinking about it realistically, one animal at a time. If you think of the whole picture at once, it's overwhelming. So take it slow, take your time and know that you are definitely allowed to feel like this. You're not giving up your babies thoughtlessly. As you can see here, many of us love our critters. The chances of you finding an equally loving home is very high if you take the time to find them

[heathers*bps]

Well I lost my job today, so I guess that makes this decision a lot easier. Take about bittersweet....

[John1982]

Well I lost my job today, so I guess that makes this decision a lot easier. Take about bittersweet....

Sorry about the job.

[heathers*bps]

Sorry about the job.

Thanks, but the hours sucked and the pay even suckier. I'm not all THAT broken hearted.

I have another job lined up hopefully next week, better hours and much better pay

[el8ch]

Well I lost my job today, so I guess that makes this decision a lot easier. Take about bittersweet....

Hey Heather, so very to sorry to hear about your job!

Keep your head up and stay strong.

Edit:

I have another job lined up hopefully next week, better hours and much better pay

WOOHHOOOOO!! Best of Luck!