Merry Christmas.. Look what our newspaper put on the front page

[SoCalDem]

Caution: animal lovers will be upset.. I certainly was.I could not even bring myself to read the article..Just threw the paper in the recycle bin :(

http://www.pe.com/

[GOPisEvil]

1. That was on the front page!!!!

Disturbing! To say the least! That was gratuitous. I don't mind the image, as I think it can educational, but NOT on the front page of the Sunday paper.

[SoCalDem]

5. Yep.. front page..

The article most likely was a reminder that pets might not make a good present and that out of control over breeding causes stuff like that, but it was way too heavyhanded for Christmas week..

Instead of that, they could have reminded people to spay or neuter if they DO get a pet for a gift :(

They are not noted for being a great paper, but this was a new LOW..even for them :(

[silverlib]

2. This is depressing

I think this needed to be reported. I, too, would have read this and thrown it in the trash can. The memory would not go in the trash, and I certainly wouldn't have to frame the pictures and hang them on the wall to keep them in my head and support my local animal shelters. We, as a society, have to take care of the animals, and this article definitely brings the fact that we are doing a very poor job to the forefront.

It is extremely upsetting to see this reality.

I wish the way we treat fellow human beings could be treated and received with the same disgust.

What does it take for us to becomes a more caring and responsible society? We try so hard to rightfully educate people that the birth of unwanted puppies, kittens, etc. can be easily avoided, but what about human babies? Wouldn't it be wonderful if every child born was loved, well-fed, educated, and taken care of medically?

[Dirty Hippie]

3. My local paper

ran an series of articles about our local humane society complete with photos of animals being euthanized. The result was a sharp increase in the number of adoptions and increased support form the community.

[madrchsod]

4. the animal control officers arrested a women near here

who had over 200 dogs on her property, 20+plus dogs inside her house. all were basically outside unprotected and unfed. it took animal control over a year to finally get around to arresting her. it took several weeks to get the necessary legal matters worked out so they could seize the dogs.she was finally charged with 12 counts of animal cruelity
earlier this month over 200 dead cats were found in a woman`s garage in northern indiana. people are real scum when they do this to animals...
-- the dogs were taken to two local shelters and the rest taken to chicago , i`m sure many of these dogs will be put down--

[LatteLib]

6. It's a shame that people are so irresponsible

when it comes to pet ownership. Spaying and neutering goes a long way as well as making a commitment to keeping a pet for it's life if you decide to adopt and not thinking a kid can be the caregiver because that doesn't work. I used to do rescue work and some of the reasons people give for giving up their family pets are unbelievable. I still feel it is more humane for the animals to get a chance to be rescued by an organization or adopted and if not humanely put to sleep than chucked out in the streets or in the country to fend for themselves.
Both of my dogs are rescues and I have people that will take them if something happens to me.
Hugs to you, as you are obviously an animal lover.

[arwalden]

7. Never Give An Animal As A "Surprise Gift" !!!!

The commitment and responsibility for taking care of a pet is for the pet's entire life. Even though a puppy and kitten makes an adorable "open-me-first" surprise present... many times the recipient isn't prepared (emotionally or financially) to handle the long-term commitment so... sadly...

Many of these poorly planned surprise pet-gifts are ABANDONED, NEGLECTED, ABUSED, or given to shelters. If they are given to shelters while still puppies/kittens, then their chance of finding a new home is better than if they are given up for adoption after they have grown up.

Also... it's a sad fact that the neglected animals (the ones left at home to fend for themselves) are the ones who are most anti-social, or skittish, or who are STILL not housebroken. Without training and supervision while puppies, they are either too aggressive, or too fearful, or too playful to make good pets. Even though they CAN be trained/re-trained... many folks who go to shelters are looking for "instant pets" and aren't too interested in a big project of having to RETRAIN an animal with behavior problems.

Okay... lecture over. Just something to think about and to mention to your friends if you ever find out that they are giving an animal as a surprise gift.

-- Allen

[supernova]

8. So sad

but it's the truth. Not enough animals are adopted every year. The article was about Ireland's problems with unwanted pets, btw.

I'm looking forward to the day I can adopt a kitty. Until then, :cry:

[RebelOne]

9. I am upset because this is the result of people not spaying

or neutering their pets. I am on many animal rescue groups and it would break your heart to see the lists of all the animals that are in kill shelters. I try to cross-post to as many lists as I can and I have been successful in helping to find some of these animals forever homes. I also transport dogs or cats when I am able. It is sort of like a relay transport. For instance, if a dog is going from Georgia to another state, volunteers each take a leg of the transport. The last dog I helped transport was a Dachshund that was going to a forever home in Canada.

[Robb]

10. Remember what Bob says:

"Don't forget to spay and neuter your pets!"

[SoCalDem]

11. I guess what bothers me as much is the money wasted

that could be going to spay/neuter programs..
As far as I am concerned, unless you have a kennel and raise purebreds, EVRERY cat & dog should be spayed/neutered.. That's one area where I would prefer a mandatory law .. The money spent on advertising that goes to tv and papers would go a long way towrds that.. If every vet in a community donated their services one day a month (mine already does this) , there would be far fewer unwanted pets.. There would always be enough who slip by, to insure that "free" pets were still available..

I have done what I personally can, but so many just do not care..:(