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Sad: Cash-strapped Families Abandoning Their Pets

dailymail.co.uk — This is sad to hear.....Home-owners are abandoning their pets as they struggle to cope with the rising cost of living.

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  • Surferess, on 05/19/2008, -0/+25This is very sad. I volunteer and walk dogs at the Humane Society, and all the kennels are full with two dogs instead of the usual one. If anyone can help, please do. It is a very satisfying volunteer job.
  • dtele, on 05/19/2008, -2/+19Animals are always the first to suffer in times of financial stress.
    I submitted an interesting article about this last week, concerning authorities trying to outlaw pet stores.
    The thinking behind thios is that if you want a pet, you go to the local animal pound and get a slightly used, maybe slightly abused pet... that you will love just the same anyway ;)
    • enclaved, on 05/19/2008, -11/+4that's dumb, however seemingly 'noble' it is.
      • Coffeedemon, on 05/19/2008, -2/+5Whats dumb? Giving an animal a second chance because someone tried to get rid of it because it wasn't the right colour? I don't think hes talking about forcing violent or poorly adjusted animals on adopters. I had a dog that we got from the SPCA after no one wanted him anymore. He was a little nervous at first but after a month it was like he was in the family forever.

        Better to do that than go to one of those puppy mills in the mall or some other seemingly ethical breeder.
      • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -2/+5Well, it is pretty careless to run out and buy the latest "fad pet" just because someone in Hollywood has one.

        There are thousands and thousands of unwanted animals available at the Humane Society or other local rescue groups.

        This is a shameless plus I guess but we take in abandoned animals and have started a charity group. I have been so overloaded taking in animals that I haven't even been able to finish the website but you can find it at www.usarf.org (US Animal Rescue Foundation).

        We literally have been driving cross country to pick up animals and have a pretty extensive network of vets and shelters and volunteers that do animals runs. Someone will drive a group of dogs 300 miles then someone else takes them the next and so on.

        Support your local shelter (not mine, we have plenty of funding) and spay and neuter your animals (Go Bob Barker).
    • tonicboy, on 05/19/2008, -1/+10I can see the idea behind that, but it's never a good idea to outlaw anything completely. After all, we live in supposedly free societies. Maybe a better solution would be to install a pet "luxury" tax. That way, it's just a bigger financial incentive to go to the animal shelter, but you are still free to do as you wish.
      • SpectralSounds, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1I just bought a puppy (Australian Shepherd) 2 days ago from a dairy farm owner. There are ways around a pet "luxury" tax. We did go to a couple of animal shelters first, but all of the breeds they had available were not very children friendly and that was our primary concern in our choice of breed.

      • NanoStuff, on 05/19/2008, -0/+2I agree with tonicboy where he says we should sell children in pet stores as long as there is a luxury tax.
    • liquidpele, on 05/19/2008, -0/+7Not to mention some of those pet stores get their pets from questionable places (inbred).

      Everyone I know has gotten rescues though, and we have two. They're really good dogs.
  • TheThirdLevel, on 05/19/2008, -1/+10It is sad, but I guess they have no other option. Granted, abandoning is not the way to do it. Put the pet in an adoption center or humane society, or find a family that can give the pet a good home.

    I couldn't bear to lose my German Shepherd. =/
    • tonicboy, on 05/19/2008, -1/+4When they say "abandon", I don't think they mean that people take them to the park and just leave them there. They are doing exactly what you are saying... leaving them at an animal shelter.
      • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -0/+4Literal abandonment is a big problem in the southern US. A lot of people are dropping their pets in the Appalachians figuring they will survive on their own.
        • TheThirdLevel, on 05/19/2008, -7/+0Isyour spacebar ***** up orsomething?
        • clockb0x, on 05/19/2008, -1/+5I think "*****" is my new favorite word.
      • sexybobo, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1You would be surprised. In my family we currently have 5 dogs (3 different houses) All but one was rescued from the side of the street where people abandoned them. The other was a pound puppy.
  • Utopist, on 05/19/2008, -2/+9Dugg for the cat.
  • pookkake, on 05/19/2008, -1/+13dugg for the basset hound, the snuggliest of all doggies
  • Kyrgizion, on 05/19/2008, -6/+49People should learn to ***** balance their finances BEFORE getting a pet. And there should probably be some sort of pet-license as well... all they are proving by abandoning their pets is that they should NEVER have gotten one in the first place. If I were to fall on financially hard times, my pets would be the last thing I'd abandon. Hell, I'd sooner starve myself to death.
    In short, very sad for the poor animals, and a big ***** YOU to whoever abandons them. Blaming it on financial problems only proves you are incapable of organising your priorities.
    • prleet, on 05/19/2008, -20/+3don't talk the talk idiot......how can you blame it people not balancing their finance. Majority of the people in western countries do not live highly even before the rise of the cost of energy..so take that "***** YOU" and shove it up your ass.

      and don't replace the need of a child with the need of an animal.

      child != animal
      • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -2/+5Human = animal (unless you deny evolution?).

        You are obviously not a pet owner. These animals have personalities just like children (and a lot more obedient than most children these days).

        Dumping your pet that you have had for years and years is just like dumping your child.

        Maybe we will see an increase in children dumped in orphanages too.

        Please, don't ever get a pet. You would make a horrible companion to it.
        • prleet, on 05/19/2008, -5/+0"You are obviously not a pet owner," why assume I don't. I think you should seriously consider seeing a shrink for rest of your comments.
        • prleet, on 05/19/2008, -5/+0"You are obviously not a pet owner," why assume I don't. And seriously, for the rest of your comment, you should consider seeing a shrink.
        • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -1/+6Same reply twice?

          I suspect you need to see the shrink for the multiple personality disorder you are suffering from.

          At any rate, I didn't expect you to understand the post but the simple fact is that people giving up their pets (which most pet owners will tell you become a part of the family) is akin to dumping your child off at the orphanage. It's the mentality of that type of person.

          Typically they will use the excuse of "doing what is best for the animal" but the reality is, a family pet is going to be more damaged by losing it's "pack" than it is not having all the extra treats it gets.

          It's not expensive to feed and care for a pet.
        • sexybobo, on 05/19/2008, -3/+1Human =/= animal
          I don't know about you but i don't make my kids go out in the back yard to crap.
    • warriorscot, on 05/19/2008, -12/+6There is a thing called a depression knocking at the door, you don't usually budget for its effects.

      Pets are a luxury, its nice to have them but in hard times you either have to give them up or if times are really bad you eat them.

      The fact that you would put an animal of no real importance ahead of your own well being or survival disgusts me you are a terrible example of the human race, you do what you have to to survive no other considerations should come into it. If you put an animal in front of the needs of your family you don't deserve a family or even to be in the gene pool let alone a pet.

      And Im a pet owner all my life, yes they are part of the family, but the most expendable part it comes down to protecting your own in hard times and your actual family of your own species comes first. And if things have gotten hard enough for a family to give up a pet you shouldn't be angry you should pity them because its a hard thing to have to do and they must really be having a hard time to have to do it.
    • BradMW, on 05/19/2008, -1/+9This is pretty much what I do on Digg:
      1) find a story of interest
      2) click "comments"
      3) scroll through until I find a cold-hearted fiscal conservative comment
      4) leave an unfunny and usually mean response stating that I agree
    • OmniShinzui, on 05/19/2008, -0/+15I dunno about you all, but my dog isnt that expensive to upkeep. 3x$40/yr for grooming, 1x$60/yr for vet checkup&yearly shots, $30x4/yr for dry food = $300/yr. Thats basically a paycheck for me, and cut into 52 weeks, it equates to about $5.75 a week.

      However, when the unexpected expenses for when your pet has something wrong with it can occur, but rarely happens. When it does though, like when my dog scratched an open wound, those bills cost $250 for treatment easy. Things like this alone make it easy to understand why a person who cant afford to keep their pet.

      Theoretically, if a depression knocks on my door, and lets say *if* I potentially lost my job, grooming can be cut and just take care of my dog myself. Instead of Kibble I could go cheaper, and maybe feed my dog in even portions instead of dumping the bag onto the bowl till it reaches the top. Theres the option of also cutting the vet as a LAST resort, ive gone a year or two without taking my dog to the vet and its ok. In the end, I could cut my pet expenses to $150, and still keep her. Would my dog be the last thing to get rid of? Id rather have a roof over my head, but my dog wouldnt be the first thing to cut from my list either. Like many, ive gotten emotionally attached to my pet, and I could not see my dog living with another family.
      • arizonabay, on 05/19/2008, -0/+9These are pretty much my thoughts. Pet food isn't that expensive. I could see it, however, if the pet had some odd-ball health problems that lead to exorbitant vet bills -- but that doesn't really seem to be what the article is saying.

        Hell, the last article of the paragraph says that the problem is likely to increase as, "people jet off on holiday and realise it is going to cost them a couple of hundred pounds to put their pets in kennels."

        err. "Jet off on holiday"? Anyone who dumps a family pet because it dampens their summer vaca plans needs a good, swift ***** punching.
      • dave122, on 05/19/2008, -0/+5yeah, I don't think I could ever get rid of my dogs, they would be one of the last things to go if I had to drastically cut costs.
    • Surferess, on 05/19/2008, -5/+3Kyrgizion - I see you are from Belgium. Perhaps, you are not cash strapped and can not relate. Some of us in America were surprised at how much of a financial hit we took. Everything was going so well and then - BAM!
    • RX9735, on 05/19/2008, -0/+5Amen brother. If you can't take care of yourself, don't buy a pet. I had a dog that lived 18 years and he needed walked, fed, watered every day of those 18 years.
  • Haoie, on 05/19/2008, -2/+12That's really sad. As if there aren't enough unwanted and unloved strays around the world.

    Cut back on luxuries, don't dump your family members!!

    • Seldon2639, on 05/19/2008, -7/+0Pets, technically, are not "family members". We are genetically predisposed to care for those who are genetically related to us, and who carry on our genetic legacy. Pets don't do that.
      • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -0/+4Time to drop your adopted kids off at the orphanage then I guess.
  • Lansingite, on 05/19/2008, -1/+4Meijer was running a promotion through which they intended to donate $5,000 to the Humane Society with the specific goal of helping foreclosure pets. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance objected on the grounds that the Humane Society opposes hunting. Meijer pulled the promotion.

    http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/04/meijer_ends_ ...
    • Surferess, on 05/19/2008, -0/+2Langsingite - Thank you for that link. I had not seen that. Wow! That sucks!
  • shaunw, on 05/19/2008, -2/+9Humans be scumbags you know that.
  • OMGWTFROFLMAOx2, on 05/19/2008, -10/+8If I have to choose between being homeless and being dogless, I'm choosing dogless. Sorry Rover.
    • ZebZ, on 05/19/2008, -2/+1But would you do everything in your power to make sure Rover is taken care of by a person or group if you aren't able to take care of him, or do you just dump Rover off on the side of the road?

      That's the issue here.
    • RealityMonster, on 05/19/2008, -2/+4I'd give up my furnace, computer, bicycles and basically anything else in my house not nailed down before I gave up my cats. It's like asking me if I'd be willing to give up my family or children.

      'Scuse me, I have to go hug them now.
    • SteelChicken, on 05/19/2008, -0/+3Pets dont cost that much to maintain. Less than your intarwebs/mobile phone bill I bet.
  • cbartlett, on 05/19/2008, -3/+22When we adopted our cat, we signed a contract to give him a "Forever Loving Home". It's not something I took lightly. Everyone who gets a pet should sign something similar and legally binding.
    • prleet, on 05/19/2008, -7/+0Wait, don't you do that same ***** right before you get married....oops did i just bust your balls and majority of the western peoples balls..

      //no ***** standard!
      • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -1/+3You are the reason money should have never been wasted on the OLPC. Blaming the west for everything.

        Get off your high-horse.
      • Seldon2639, on 05/19/2008, -0/+3And, no that's not true. The vows you take when you get married don't constitute the actual contract. The contract is the document you sign afterwards, which has very specific legal meanings. You could arguably put in the contract that divorce is impossible, and until fairly recently it was impossible to have a "no fault" divorce (which meant you could only get divorced if something actually went wrong, rather than "we don't love each other anymore"), but we eventually realized that was a pretty bad idea.

        If you're gonna bash "western peoples [sic]", please try to do some actual research first, and realize there's a difference between "stuff I've said" and "a valid contract". Remember, "A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on"
  • mr5150, on 05/19/2008, -10/+7Korea & Vietnam just rang and said they would take them all and place them all with reputable restaurant owners.
    • wiirdo, on 05/19/2008, -5/+1Tastes like chicken. DIGG ME DOWN!!!!
    • prleet, on 05/19/2008, -5/+0Tastes like a dogmeaw flavored chicken!!!
    • akeserla, on 05/19/2008, -0/+2Funny dude, how come cats and dogs get special treatment while cows/pigs and chicken pets are consumed. I see a speciest attitude
  • senatorpjt, on 05/19/2008, -1/+11What kind of evil ***** sends their dog to the pound because a kennel costs too much while they're flying around on holiday?
    • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -1/+4The kind that need to rethink their values and priorities.
    • fuzzynyanko, on 05/19/2008, -3/+1You rather they be dragged to to the backyard and shot?
      • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -0/+5Right. Because it's more important that they get to jet off to Paris than take care of the pet they bought.
    • prometheanspark, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1The problem is that people are losing the homes they own, where they can keep whatever pets they want, and are subsequently forced to rent - and most rentals don't allow pets, or have a limit on the number of pets they allow. There are a lot of people that want to rent right now and that gives landlords more room to be picky about the conditions of the rental. I allow pets in mine and that ensures that I get a flood of qualified candidates to choose from.

      Some of my distant in-laws lost their home and had to give up 3 dogs. I think they were able to find homes for them though.
  • Hincapie, on 05/19/2008, -0/+9makes me sad inside :(
  • EdgarAllenPwn, on 05/19/2008, -0/+10I can't believe this is an issue. I feed my cat on about $15 a month. These people cant afford $15 a month for all the greatness that comes from having a pet?
    • prleet, on 05/19/2008, -3/+0I guess you haven't been grocery shopping lately, you should see how people count pennies...
    • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -1/+7It's more important to them that they have their $6 latte every day.
    • warriorscot, on 05/19/2008, -4/+2What happens when the cat gets sick, cats are easier/cheaper than dogs they cost a fortune something like $20,000 a year on average according to the article I read last week some can be much much more. Pets are expensive items allot of the time and don't judge others some people can barely afford to keep children let alone animals.
      • Seldon2639, on 05/19/2008, -0/+3I can still judge them for having children, and pets, can't I? No one forced them to have either, and anyone who can't take care of their children or pets the moment there's a downturn was not in the kind of sound financial situation necessary to justify having children or pets. Admittedly, the immutable laws of social Darwinism should (and I emphasize the *should*) take care of the problem, if we don't get all sentimental and attempt to save them from themselves
      • Elranzer, on 05/19/2008, -0/+7What the hell kinda pet costs $20,000/year on "upkeep" on average? My dog (a large golden retriever) costs about $300 a year on food and vet checkups. The cat costs even less. And that's including plenty of daily "luxary" treats.
        • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1They can be expensive but only in very rare circumstances.

          I dropped over $5000 on hip replacements for one of my dogs. Was it worth it? Absolutely. It has given her a new lease on life and she has become a happy dog again.

          When I took her in as a rescue dogs she was 25 pounds (should have been about 50) and walked only on her front legs. She had been beat nearly to death by some teenagers. Her hips were smashed, almost all of her teeth were knocked out and it appears someone had even stabbed her.

          And I've spent over $2000 on one of my dogs that was run over. She, unfortunately, was not able to be saved.

          Why? Because they are part of my family. The love and companionship I get in return far outweighs the money I have spent on them.

          But that isn't typical cost.

          I have 3 dogs right now. Their typical upkeep is about $10/week for all 3. When I buy food I buy it in bulk and we buy very few treats instead opting to make our own.

          And the way the human race is (with all the religious infighting, national pride in the form of throwing stones at other countries) I don't care for most humans. I'd rather spend the money on dogs than waste it on unappreciative humans.
    • TheBigBad, on 05/19/2008, -1/+7If I have to choose between me going hungry or my pets going hungry then I am going to have a loudly growling stomach. Ramen costs 10 cents a pack, try it if you're trying to save money. If it was good enough in college then it's good enough now.
  • breadfred, on 05/19/2008, -2/+9Comment Hijack: How many newspapers are there in the UK? If you follow Digg, you would be forgiven that the Daily Mail is the biggest thing since sliced bread. It is not. It is crappy sensationalist newspaper. I would not be surprised if these so-called 'journalists' are infiltrating Digg to increase their hit-score. Buried for being Daily Fail.
    • thebozboz, on 05/19/2008, -0/+0I totally agree, the Daily Mail is probably the closest thing we have in the UK to the Fox News Network, a news source which is constantly (and quite rightly) lambasted on this very site. Quite why the Daily Racist, sorry, Mail passes without such criticism is a crime let alone the promotion their site is receiving through these self-submitted stories based on half-facts and the writers stream of consciousness.

      Sorry guys, rant over...
    • gnixon70, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1I have noticed a lot of stories coming from that particular publication. Although from what I read it seems to be closer to the national enquirer then fox news in relation.
  • koft, on 05/19/2008, -4/+7Humans > animals. It's sad and it sucks but when it comes to feeding your cat or your kid, the kid wins.
    • ZebZ, on 05/19/2008, -0/+6But when you come to the realization that you can't afford to take care of your cat, do you dump it on the side of the road or do you do everything in your power to make sure it is left with a person or group who will take care of it?
    • cdahlkvist, on 05/19/2008, -1/+2Animals > koft
    • antdude, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1Owners should know that raising pets and kids is tedious and expensive. I stopped having pets due to lack of time and money to support them.
  • JasonCox, on 05/19/2008, -1/+7I dont get how folks could abandon their pets... Pets arent just like family, they are family.
  • RyanOC, on 05/19/2008, -0/+9People need to ***** commit to something when they choose it, this pisses me off! I had a lot of trouble finding places to live with a rotweiler while I was in college, but I never thought of getting rid of her, commit!
  • peestandingup, on 05/19/2008, -2/+6***** these people, I got zero sympathy for them. If you couldn't afford a pet in the first place, even IF times got ruff (no pun intended), then you shouldn't have gotten one. There are ALWAYS alternatives. They probably didnt care that much to begin with.

    Abandoning my dog would be the same as abandoning my child. It aint happening.
    • liquidpele, on 05/19/2008, -4/+4What do you mean no pun intended? "Ruff" is the noise a dog makes, where "rough" is having a hard time, so you obviously DID make a pun, but perhaps you did not realize it?
  • MadEnvoy, on 05/19/2008, -5/+4Why aren't they being eaten?
  • gkiltz, on 05/19/2008, -4/+1This is cruelty, pure and simple!
    I's not ONLY cruelty to the animals turned loose, it's cruelty to those of us who keep our dogs leashed, and leash walk them on a schedule. It creates a distraction that makes us have to work much harder to keep our own dog under control. In many cases, loose runners charge and harass leashed or fenced dogs!
    • veriix, on 05/19/2008, -0/+5Articles are there for a reason; so you can read them and not look like a dumb-ass when you comment. So next time please, RTFA!
  • lopla, on 05/19/2008, -4/+12We gave away our 3 dogs just last month. It was gut wrenching and painful. It was either the dogs or the Starbucks and well, you know how it goes. We also didn't realize how much the dogs were costing us, so with the money saved we bought a Hummer H1. I recommend anyone thinking about giving up their pets to weigh the pros and cons, then go for it. Ignore the pet police in here..
  • sljepi, on 05/19/2008, -1/+7People abandoning their pets are scumbags and conformist lowlifes who wish to retain their way of high life without much sacrifice. Giving up pets at the first sign of trouble is a sign that they treat pets as a trendy product.
    • RX9735, on 05/19/2008, -0/+3And someone that will treat a pet like that would surely treat a person bad.
  • philathea80, on 05/19/2008, -6/+1 Cash-strapped Families EAT their pets...yum!
    • ZebZ, on 05/19/2008, -2/+4Your parents should've drowned you in a river.
  • Ratteler, on 05/19/2008, -7/+2This is just stupid. The only reason I kept my pet around in the first place was to have an extra meal in case of sudden cataclysmic social failure.

    Mmmmmmmmmmmm.... Cat taste like chicken!!!
  • RSman, on 05/19/2008, -0/+7Wow...obviously people do not consider their pets to be part of their family. How could anyone just cast away another living being without caring for its well-being is just sick!
  • nard3456, on 05/19/2008, -0/+6this artical made me sad
  • bcamp1973, on 05/19/2008, -0/+9My wife works for the American Humane Association and the problem is actually much worse than the article suggests. They're finding that a LOT of people are simply leaving the house with the animals locked up inside. By the time the owner (usually the bank) comes to reclaim the property the animals have usually starved to death. I can't believe people would do such horrific things...
    • ansatsu29, on 05/20/2008, -0/+1And people who abandon their pets just like that should die in HELL...
    • ansatsu29, on 05/20/2008, -0/+1I wonder if those people would feel the suffering they have caused to their pets..
  • ozziek, on 05/19/2008, -0/+5I wonder if some of the people dumping the pets are smoking? How much is that costing them per month? Don't take on a pet if you can't handle it or aren't prepared to do anything to keep them safe and happy. I hope these people don't breed. I fear for their kids and their fresh and potentially money earning organs.
  • JamesWyatt, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1With Banks foreclosing on House Loans, and families forced into Apartments where Pets aren't allowed, what are they to do?
    After the death of a beloved old Pet, my folks went to the pound and found "Cocoa" A chocolate mini dachshund.

    Sad...
    • RX9735, on 05/19/2008, -0/+3Move somewhere pets are welcomed. If you are not willing to make sacrifices for a pet don't bother buying one.
  • tofuMYtofu, on 05/19/2008, -0/+7I would go without food before my dog does.
  • DarthDiabetes, on 05/19/2008, -0/+5I bet they didn't quit smoking though.
  • Ricemanstm, on 05/19/2008, -1/+3And in other news...Chinese restaurants exploiting distressed pet owners...offer to purchase pets for daily lunch specials.
  • BARCHER, on 05/19/2008, -0/+2Cant afford your pets. Hmmm. Bet you can afford your crisps, and your beer, and your SUV, and your cable, and your rotten ill-bred children. Plenty of money for church too I bet.
  • prometheanspark, on 05/19/2008, -1/+2The problem is that people are losing the homes they own, where they can keep whatever pets they want, and are subsequently forced to rent - and most rentals don't allow pets, or have a limit on the number of pets they allow. There are a lot of people that want to rent right now and that gives landlords more room to be picky about the conditions of the rental. I allow pets in mine and that ensures that I get a flood of qualified candidates to choose from.

    Some of my distant in-laws lost their home and had to give up 3 dogs. I think they were able to find homes for them though.
  • grungegbunny, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1I'll give up my car before I give up my dogs.
  • URnotheonly1, on 05/19/2008, -0/+1your going to want to eat that pet later. No is not a time to be wastful
  • str3ama, on 05/20/2008, -0/+1in my opinion these people should be jailed. Having a pet is like having a child, you have to be committed to it - it's not something you can do on a lark. This goes for all pets, including fish - which are the worst treated, parents buy their children tropical fish after seeing movies like Finding Nemo or Shark Tale, the kid doesn't take care of the fish properly and it dies or gets sick. Worse off is that people don't realize that having a pet incurs medical expenses, and if you're the type that thinks that going to a vet is optional - you shouldn't have a pet.

    It's disgusting that people are doing this, and what's worse is that they get away with it - when realistically these very same people would never contemplate giving up their children in such a manner as they give up pets (which they had considered members of their family).
  • ansatsu29, on 05/20/2008, -0/+1Its responsible pet ownership that counts here. Sometimes people have the attitude of spending more than they earn without realizing that in the next few years, there can be downhill economic situations that will really affect your finances. If from the start, the ***** up and irresponsible pet owners analyzed the costs of having a pet, then there should be no problem. They should analyze their financial capacity in having pets.

    I for instance, have three dogs and guess what, I can provide shelter and enough food for them because since from the start, our family knows our financial capacity to keep pets. And it really worked. No matter what financial distress may come, we are still able to provide enough for the pets.

    And I will not definitely give up my dogs...no matter what...
  • manzplan, on 05/24/2008, -0/+1funny thing is.. I bet most of those people are abandoning their pets but keeping their cars with the $300 + a month payments.. or their cell phones.. or keep on buying Starbucks coffee.. or bottled water..
    My wife worked at a shelter.. she knows countless people who dumped animals, claiming to have no money - and drove away in $40,000 vehicles. No all.. but some..
  • RoboBoogie, on 05/25/2008, -0/+0"The problem is likely to get worse over the summer as people jet off on holiday and realise it is going to cost them a couple of hundred pounds to put their pets in kennels."

    I dunno... abandoning a member of your family just so you can go on vacation? Seems pretty ass-hatish to me.
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