Recession Bites Pet Owners - Newspaper headline yesterday
By cmauthe1
@cmauthe1 (267)
Canada
March 24, 2009 5:44pm CST
I just read the above article in The Province newspaper (BC, Canada). The article states that pets are on the first "luxury" items to go in a bad economy. As a result of this, hundreds of pets are being abandoned or taken to the spca. They say it is the worst it has ever been in BC.
I just couldn't imagine doing this and count myself lucky that I never have had to make this choice. My critters are part of my family, everyone says that Rocky (my dog) is a "mama's boy". When I ask my critters where my husband is, I say "where's dad?". My husband does the same thing. He calls our cat "baby" more often than "Libby".
Are you or have you been is this situation? What did you do? I think I would go without lots of things before I abandoned my critters.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@SorrowSolace (27)
• United States
27 Mar 09
This is a sad situation. I understand that my pets are a priority. But as lately I got fired and I'm having trouble making my rent I don't know what to do with my pets...I'm feeding them human food when I can't afford pet food, and now that it's hard to make rent, it would be better for them to hopefully find a new home than for both me and my animals to be out on the streets..it's sad times we live in. I hope in the future it can get better.
1 person likes this
@cmauthe1 (267)
• Canada
28 Mar 09
I am sorry you are having such struggles in your life. It is a very sad situation for all concerned.
I hope you are able to find good, loving homes for your animals if you are unable to keep them. What a difficult position to be in... I really feel for you.
It is sad times we live in, all we can do is struggle on and hope that it gets better. Best of luck to you...
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
25 Mar 09
I don't consider my furbabies to be a luxury item they are part of the family. I would never abandon them, ever. No matter how bad it got. They are my children and right now they are one of the only comforts in my life. They keep me company and are there to meet me at the end of the day. Its worth a lot to me to take care of my kitty children.
1 person likes this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
25 Mar 10
I would have a really hard time giving up my pets. I would really have to consider placing my pet with someone else or trying to find some sort of financial assistance so I could keep my pets instead of giving them up first. I'd rather keep them if I could. I couldn't bare to give them to a shelter because all the shelters I know are kill shelters.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
25 Mar 09
I have heard this alot over the past year. Lots of people in the US drop their pets off at the Humane Society,SPCA, or just leave them behind when they are forced to move! I have read that people don't like to drop their pets off at aniaml shelters because they feel their animals will end up being put down! That isn't true! Shelters try to find new homes for all animals! Dogs and cats aren't the only animals being abandoned! Horses are too! Horse shelters are feeling the affect like the small animal shelters! I even heard people won't take their horses to a shelter but instead abandon them at a horse show! It is sickining to hear about! Fortunely I don't know anyone who have been in that situation and myself I'm not either! I own a horse and wouldn't abandon him,ever! He is part of my family! I would never let it get so bad I would have to get rid of him! That is not me!
@cmauthe1 (267)
• Canada
25 Mar 09
There have been numerous incidents over the past few years here in Western Canada about starving and neglected horses. Our winters are bad here and they were left with no food and no water!!! It is horrifying and makes me so sad and mad. There was one article in the paper that stated that it was a known fact around the area for some time and no one did anything about it! How could you live with yourself? I can't even watch those commercials on tv about abused/neglected/abandoned pets without getting choked up. I would bring them all home with me if I could.
I had horses as a kid, and now live on rural property again. We will be starting to fence as soon as the snow melts (come hell or high water). I love horses so much... whenever I smell horsesh-t, I get a big lump in my throat. It brings back so many wonderful memories of my horses.
I would like to rescue 2 to start and then see how many others we could save. This has been a lifelong dream for me. We firmly believe in trying to adopt from the spca, that's where our last 2 dogs came from. It always surprises me at the number and quality of dogs there. But it is such a sad place too, heartbreaking not to bring them all home too.
Anyway, I need to go hug my pets now and cheer up! I would never get rid of my guys either. Thanks for your Passionate response and Happy myLotting!
