Dogs Being Abandoned As Recession Continues To Bite

It was announced earlier this month that the U.S. is officially in a recession. Um, duh! Anyone living here for the past year could tell you that. Things have kinda sucked.

With the national unemployment rate at about 7 percent–the highest since 1974–we’ve all felt the economic crunch. In fact, here in California alone it’s at a whopping 8.4 percent; the third largest in the country. We’ve seen everyone from Schwarzenegger to Yahoo order layoffs, and it doesn’t seem like it will end anytime soon.
But this financial turmoil isn’t only affecting the family house, it’s also affecting the dog house. Shelters are reporting that pet owners are abandoning their pet dogs at alarming rates.
Therefore kennels are becoming grossly overcrowded. Secondly, these charities rely on donations to sustain their efforts. And with money so tight for everyone, they expect a huge decrease in donations this year.
Another concern for them is Christmas. A lot of the animals given as Christmas gifts just end up in shelters by the new year.
It’s been estimated that the life of a pet can cost around $22,000 with food, visits to the veternarian and toys. While not an upfront cost, the added expense is just one more thing to pay for. Of course, this begs the question: Can you really put a price on the quality of life? My cat makes my day.
But households are having to cram into pet-unfriendly apartments, and for them it’s a matter of taking care of their families and taking care of their pets. Of course, for many of us our pets are family. As a cat owner, I cannot even imagine having to make that call.
Yet officials are getting calls that pets are being left at foreclosed homes! I must admit, I find this grotesque and absolutely unforgivable. I by no means pretend to understand what it is like to lose your house and to feel those pressures with a spouse and children.
But the fact is, our actions stretch far beyond just affecting us. If mortgage brokers, banks and corporations are allowed to make short term self-serving irresponsible decisions, we all lose. But if we ourselves act in the same manner, what does that make us?

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Anita Q.

12:38PM PST on Mar 5, 2010

What a beautiful animal and so healthy! She is perfect for this contest called Healthy Family, Healthy Pet http://www.greenwala.com/greenwala_contests/all/15-Healthy-Family-Healthy-Pet-by-PETCO

send a green star

Mrs M.

4:53AM PST on Jan 25, 2010

I think it's also a convenient excuse. Millions of people have dumped their pets due to "allergies," when people at shelters, etc., don't even believe their stories. Times are tough, but this is an over-used excuse, from what I hear. Sad world.

Mira I.

2:41PM PST on Jan 21, 2010

During the communism in Romania, people did find leftovers from their tables to feed their pets...After....some just left their pets to wonder the streets....Sounds familiar ? If you have less money, you have less heart too...I mean your money is your heart and conscience ??? Can't you, the abandonner ( that's new) share a bit of your food or have one bottle of bear less and feed the being who loves unconditionally ( rich or poor, bold or hairy...) This is no desperation this is cruelty...at least take them to a shelter...don't be coward...There is no excuse. NONE what so ever...

Teresa W.

12:53PM PST on Jan 21, 2010

very sad

Nina C.

10:49PM PST on Feb 13, 2009

Dogs are for Life, not on a whim of the moment. When we bring a chid into the world, do we pass it on to someone else, saying "I have not got enough money to pay for this child or this child bores me now, you can have it!!" A dog needs care, we humans domesticated animals, now they are our responsibilty....A dog is for Life

Linn F.

2:21AM PST on Feb 3, 2009

adopt a pet. SHARE =)
God bless

Meredith W.

8:43AM PST on Jan 30, 2009

I don't think I could abandon any of my animals. They are such a part of my life.

Danielle S.

9:34AM PST on Jan 22, 2009

As for myself Danièlle Smith I have been faced in 1971 in a very sad situation as well My then husband was leaving me for another woman whilst we had been looking after 19 cats and our own dog and moscovy ducks I lived in RSA and had no means when that happened and had no choice but to give my beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback Diane to good friends all the cats had to be rehomed by the Rspca and the ducks went to others I was heart broken I myself did not know where to go I had no family there,But God is so good He made a way where there seemed to be no ways and took care of everything me included I cannot stand cruelty and neglect to any animals whatever the animal or to people as a matter of fact
God bless and keep you all Love you guys
Danièlle Smith

Sue L.

11:28PM PST on Jan 17, 2009

The truth is most people do not know what they would do in that situation. I have never been homeless but did go through something similar when a house was damaged and I had to live in a 25 foot travel trailer. You can do anything for a short period of time but when it stretches out for months on end, you have five dogs, it is impossible to keep things clean,your clothes are constantly dirty, etc. it is a nightmare. Believe me you can't really comprehend what it is like until you've had to do it. I literally had claustraphobia and trailer is a walk in the park compared to what some people are dealing with. I actually heard of a lady that was a signing agent and when her business dried up over night she had to live out of her car with 2 golden retrievers. I don't think I was right mentally for months after I got out of the situation. Everyone is different and some people just have more tolerance than others. Yes, I hung on to my animals but is it had been living out of a car or on the street I'm ashamed to say I don't think I could have done it. I really feel for these people.

stefarni s.

9:17AM PST on Jan 4, 2009

People are so selfish and arrogant!
Bloody hell.
We needa help this!
Cant believe whats happening
to the world!!