Owners of pet's, giving them up all over

[Jenn218]

That is how I feel...I have always put EVERYONE before me...and that includes my furbabies (always have, always will)....I would go without a lot of things to make sure my "babies" are safe, with me and fed!

Course, I know some people don't feel the same way I do about "dogs"...but they aren't "dogs" here...they are children...and all of my childrens needs come before my own needs/wants!

[cataholic]

They not only take them to shelters or sell or give away on Craigslist or the newspapers. Sometimes people just leave the animals in the home when they move or drop them off along the road hoping someone will take them in. It is happening a lot. We get animals every week because of this. And adoptions are a lot slower for all my shelter and other local shelters and rescues. The donations of food and money have really slowed down too. People are just cutting back on everything. I would not give up my animals. They would eat before me if it came to that.

[ARCHIE]

It won't leave my mind.
I just donated, through pay-pal, a nice donation to the local AS.
I am going to get dog food, cat food and take blankets over next weekend.
I hope and pray other's can do the same. Every little bit helps these people
who are doing their best to care for the helpless.
The holiday season only makes it sader. Wish I could take them all.

[loveyorks]

It's a very sad situation, I was just on the net in the animals for sale section, they had over 3,000 dogs for sale and just as many cats and birds, etc. People keep pushing the ''perfect gift for X-mas'' . I wish they had stricter laws here in Canada and made it mandatory to have your animals neutered and it would somehow slow this down. The people that do this kind of thing have no morals and an animal is a commodity, not a living thing. How VERY VERY SAD

[Yorkiekids]

I would never put my animals in the pound. Like you have said you could feed them what you're eating, or get cheaper dog food. I women I was talking with runs a yorkie rescue, and she told me that she told me that the shelters are full of sick animals, because people were just disregarding them by the groves. It's so sad. Can't these people put up ads in stores, or at the vets to try to find them homes?

[Ladymom]

I think too many people don't think long term about the responsibility and financial commitment of adopting that cute puppy or kitten. Dogs and cats are (hopefully) a 15 year commitment and they get more expensive as they age.

My vet said that they are seeing fewer patients, that people are cutting back on vet care. Not the responsible pet owners who have been with them for years, but the sporadic ones who only come in when their cat or dog is sick.

[Rudys Mom]

I've heard of this very sad situation too. Especially in Las Vegas where my son lives. I think L.Vegas has some of the the most Foreclosed Houses in the nation. I read on the local website there that they are always finding pets that have just been left in the house to fend for themselves when the owners are forced to leave.

I too would keep my dogs under any circumstances. They are members of our family. I'd eat less, share the food with them or buy them cheap dog food just till I got back on my feet. I don't know how anyone.....could do this to their "pet".

[MyLadies]

This is heartbreaking. I don't understand either. They are our Family! How can anyone just sell or leave behind someone so trusting that looks to you for care and love?

[MindieRose]

I mostly agree with what everyone is saying here. There are a couple of scenerios that I can understand though. For instance, if I had a dog, or other pet, that had a medical disorder that was very costly to treat, and I suddenly had no money because of a loss of job or something, or I had to choose between feeding my family and treating my pet, then I would find someone who could afford to take care of the pet. That would be because I love the pet and want it to be cared for. Also, the larger the animal, the harder it is to afford to feed. My mother in law is GIVING her 2 horses away because she cannot afford to feed them anymore. Hay is at least $5 a bale right now, and they go through that in a day, not to mention grain. Thankfully, I have small dogs that do not eat much, and they are healthy. Even having several, they could still live off of dinner leftovers if need be.
I feel horrible for the pets that are just thrown away, but I also feel terrible for the families that really truely are in such a position where rehoming is the only option. My children do come before my pets, that is just the way that it has to, and should be.

[littlewhip]

how very sad, there is very cheap dog food at walmart
less then what some peep use on things they dont even need I would never surrender my pets, i would go with out first ! and yet we still have local ads for all types of mixes for alot of $..this time of year is when this gets very bad, peep buy and then have after the holidays they have no time or $ for the poor babies

[Lexi Rae]

(((((((((( my pet is my child)))))))))))!!!!!!

[MindieRose]

Originally Posted by Lexi Rae

(((((((((( my pet is my child)))))))))))!!!!!!

I would feel that same way if I didnt have small children at home, I am sure of it.

[stedmansmommy]

This is so sad. It just makes me want to cry thinking of someone driving up to a shelter and handing their precious baby off to someone because they can no longer afford to take care of it I could NEVER...and I mean NEVER do that - I mean I just flat out COULD NOT do it I do understand that if the money isn't there, it just isn't there and giving them up is probably the only thing they know to do so that the dog will be properly taken care of and HOPEFULLY get adopted out to someone - but...it just looks like there would be friends or family that they could turn to, maybe to take the dog there just until they were able to get back on their feet... instead of just having to give them up all together But of course we don't know everyone's situation and all of their stories are different....this is just so so sad though

[yorkiegirl83]

It makes me really sad that people are in positions like this in these hard times. I for one know that if suddenly we were without any income and couldn't feed myself or my pets, I would be finding them a loving home that could take care of them as soon as possible. I wouldn't dump them in a shelter -- but I would find them a home where their needs could be met. It would be heartbreaking for me, but if a pet is rehomed in a loving, capable environment -- I truly believe they will adjust.

I do understand the feeling that everyone puts their needs ahead of their dogs, and I feel I do as well -- but in my opinion you have to be able to care for yourself to be able to care for them and if that can't happen decisions need to be made in their best interest.

I thought about the responsibility of my babies before I brought them home, but no one knows where life will lead and I don't think all of the people having to give up their pets are irresponsible and uncaring. We don't know all of their stories.

I am saddened about this situation too because so many are suffering, I just feel bad to make judgements on those that I'm not walking in their shoes.

[Nancy1999]

This is really sad, but part of the problem is that banks were lending money to people to buy homes who clearly couldn't afford them. In the past, banks would not loan money to people who they felt would not be able to pay off the loan, but the banks were counting on the growth of the real estate market, to make them money even if the people defaulted on their loans. This didn't happen, and everyone lost out.

People who are giving up their pets are probably getting forced out of their homes. It's not easy to find apartments that will take pets, and if you do, many can't afford the extra deposits and monthly payments. I doubt if it's just the cost of pet food that is making people abandon their pets.