As economy falters, more people giving up pets

[SoCalNative]

A growing number of Americans are giving up their dogs and cats to animal shelters as the emotional bonds between people and pets get tested by economic ones.

From the Malvern, Pa., man who turned his two dogs over in order to help pay for his mother's cancer treatments, to the New York woman who euthanized her cat rather than keeping it alive with expensive medications, rising economic anxieties make it increasingly difficult for some pet owners to justify spending $1,000 a year or more on pet food, veterinary services and other costs.

The population growth at animal shelters in Connecticut, Nebraska, Texas, Utah and other states shows how the weak economy is also shrinking the pool of potential adopters. And it coincides with a drop-off in government funding and charitable donations.

The effect has been cramped quarters for dogs and cats, a faster rate of shelters euthanizing animals and some shelters turning away people looking to surrender pets, according to interviews with several shelters and animal advocates. Of the estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats sent to animal shelters every year, half are euthanized and the rest adopted, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

"It's definitely discouraging for us," said Adam Goldfarb, a Humane Society spokesman. "One of our major goals is to develop and celebrate the bond between people and animals. It's so tragic when families reach a point when they can't afford to care for their pets."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j47sCv6x5PH5bZo7y4WQGTAe64LwD957A2KG0

[sakabatou]

1. Even animals are affected

:(

[Kalyke]

2. We've had to cut back on things.

We get cheaper food and pray it's not tainted. We do supplement with certain human foods (rice, chicken broth, left-over homemade veggie soups) and we can't afford the flea meds over the winter. They don't have any fleas and I hope they don't come back until we can start putting them back on the meds in the spring.

[JanMichael]

7. I don't know where you live, but here in the middle of NC

we don't waste our money on winter flea stuff.

For that matter, if you are using Frontline Plus-- read the label. It's good for more than a month. ;)

We NEVER dose Scout once a month-- we have seen a total of about 5 fleas over 4 years.

[Kalyke]

15. Tennessee - howdy neighbor!

And, yes, this is why.

And, I use Frontline Plus, but my baby doggie (he's actually 2) was abused and has physical problems that makes him pee quite a lot. He has to have baths more regularly as a result. We rescued him. I was on a waiting list ever since my 15-year-old, love-him-to-death and miss him forever cocker spaniel died.

Not to go into great detail, but he's got some internal damage that we can't afford to fix - and which may not work with surgery anyway - so, we just love him, put wee-wee pads down at night, let him out frequently and let him play with the kids to theirs and his hearts' content.

At least this part of his life is happy and that's all a dog needs to feel.

P.S. He's not in any pain. He just has incontinence issues.

[LiberalFighter]

13. I use Sentinel for my girls which does both heartworm and fleas.

Another advantage for Sentinel is that I avoid having to apply anything to their body. While Frontline and others are only a flea preventative and must be applied topically instead of orally.

[liberalmuse]

3. That shatters my heart.

:cry:

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

4. I put down my 12 y/o bassett hound recently...

...I lost my job last December and couldn't afford any more surgeries. He wasn't ill or close to slowing down, he just has benign cysts that had to be removed. I had them taken out in 2004 and 2007 when I had a job. He made everyone so happy. I miss him, and I feel terrible about the whole thing.

:cry:

I hope you all can see this picture.

Irving
1996-2008
RIP lil' guy

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b6d827b3127ccece1844d0a2c500000010O38Acsmrlw1cNQe3nwo/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D3/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[grasswire]

6. I'm sorry.

So sorry.

[Mist]

9. I'm sorry about Irving. He looks like a sweet one! nt

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

10. Thank you grasswire and lu lu

Thank you so much.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

5. some friends have taken in four abandoned horses

One had been abandoned in the desert and followed them home from a trail ride on their own horses, one was wandering around on the highway and two were left to starve on a foreclosed "McRanch" and were only found by a real estate agent snooping around the property.

My pets are the last thing in life I would give up, not something to throw away because money is tight.

[JanMichael]

8. many people have passed "tight" and are down to "none."

it's fucking horrifying.

[pop goes the weasel]

12. safe to assume you aren't having to make the choice

My sister just had to get rid of her dogs, seeing as how she is unable currently to even feed her child regularly. And the shelters are full up, too, because there are a lot of people in the same boat, who are seriously faced with either caring for an animal, or feeding their children.

[MiniMe]

11. The rescue I volunteer for adopted out 10 dogs today

We had an adoption day today and adopted out 10 dogs. At least people who are looking for dogs are looking to rescue instead of going to puppy mills. Considering it was icy this morning, a pretty good day. I was surprised that we adopted out so many, but very happy for the dogs. I live in the DC area, and while it is bad and we have seen a lot of owner give-ups lately, as a whole, the area is not as bad off as many others are.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

14. Wow, 10 from one rescue. That is great!

[Lorien]

16. I just took in two stray older kittens

they are six or seven months old-maybe older. Big black fluffballs-like larger versions of my Atticus Pye, who I just lost two weeks ago to FIP. I call them the Noir Brothers; William Chat-Noir and Guy Noir. Both are very, very friendly, but have an awful case of coccidia. Some friends say that they were dumped in a ditch on their street more than a week ago. They're covered with fleas; I flea dipped them today and will probably do it again soon. I'm guessing that their past owner couldn't afford the vet care they needed. I can't either (I'm unemployed), but I couldn't just leave them out there! I've been calling vets to try to find one who will treat their coccidia at a low cost. Most want around $200.00 for both-and then there's the vaccines and neutering. I'll keep calling until I find someone with a heart who will help them. I know that I can find them a good home if I can get them fixed up-I just wish that I had more than $625.00 to my name right now!