The Great Recession, and its' consequences

Okay, well this is going to be a short post because I read something that really upset me and I couldn't actually read the whole article, but it was pretty obviously a likely situation.

Apparently heaps of families are dumping their pets in the wilderness because they can't afford them anymore. Apparently lots of dogs are getting hit on the road, or approaching cars with 'wagging tails' or being shot by teens with guns, and slowly starving to death.

I don't know why they don't euthanize these animals, or take them to a shelter. How anyone can think an abandoned animal will do well... I don't know.

Oh and it really pissed me off that I got so upset about this. The recession means that so many people will have their lives irrecoverably plunged into destitution, their kids will suffer, they will suffer, many older people whose superannuation has gone, will live in misery and they might well die in extreme weather, like the poor often do.

It means people in the third world may lose their subsistence wages in their benetton factories, or whatever, and well, anyways the impact of this disaster is so widespread and horrible. But it was this story about dogs that freaking got me sad, and I know it's the same with lots of other people, like when Ari posted about the Koala in a fire. For some reason animals make it easier to see pain.

I don't know why, but it's interesting and infuriating.

I haven't heard anything at all about this at all, despite living in the United States (I assume that this is where these things are alleged to have occured, though the lack of identifying country is suspicious). Do you have a link to a story/article that can point to evidence regarding this?

Got a link?

A lady from an animal shelter called into the Chris Evans show (a radio call-in show in the UK) and was discussing how where she works, they have taken in far more animals. She also mentioned the phenomenon Malacasta has raised. I mention this, not because it is evidence it is really happening, but to raise the possibility the origin of the myth/true story might not be American.

I don't know about the specific article Malacasta read, but here are several that talk about the general increase of abandoned pets. It's not just the States.

BBC Article

Wales Online

Springfield IL (US)

Santa Cruz Sentinel

A quick Google search turns up a ton more.

It bothers me that a large number of pet owners seem to view their pets as discardable entertainment. It's fine when the pet is fun, but when it becomes a responsibility it gets dropped off on the side of the road. I know some people do the same, more or less, with their children and many other responsibilities in their lives, but still.

At the same time, it reminds me of some of the efforts I've seen lately (like the Dog Whisperer TV show) to encourage people not to make those spontaneous "aw cute" decisions to take a pet home.

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Originally posted by Pelic
It bothers me that a large number of pet owners seem to view their pets as discardable entertainment.

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I love animals and I agree with you on the personal level, but if it's upkeeping your pet against feeding your children (or even yourself) and paying mortgage, then the pet has to go.

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Originally posted by Graeblyn
A lady from an animal shelter called into the Chris Evans show (a radio call-in show in the UK) and was discussing how where she works, they have taken in far more animals. She also mentioned the phenomenon Malacasta has raised. I mention this, not because it is evidence it is really happening, but to raise the possibility the origin of the myth/true story might not be American.

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Here in Michigan the Humane Society is fulled to capacity due to their owners surrendering them. I haven't heard of any of the other stuff.

Sometimes owners get put in to the dilemma of do I feed myself or my pet? People simply do not know help exist with food.

Stories like this make me very sad. Nearly every pet my family has ever owned was rescued from the humane society or the like. I hate to see animals abandoned like this.

If any of you are thinking about getting a pet in the near future, I urge you to go to the humane society and get one there. While many rescued pets will have issues at first, the love you get from a rescued animal when they realise you aren't going to abuse or abandon them like their previous owner can't be matched.

The pure bred dogs at your local breeder don't have anything to worry about. Somebody will buy them. The animals at the humane society need your help.

LONG before that Leira.. everyone should seriously do their homework before even considering getting a pet.

Know what kind of breed suits you, your lifestyle, and ensure that you can invest in this. I fully understand when unforeseen circumstances crop up (like allergies for instance) but considering there are so many abandoned chihuahua's now because of everyone wanting to buy a chihuahua puppy after the stupid disney movie is disgusting.

A pet is not an impulse purchase. Just like having a child is not an impulse decision.

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Originally posted by Pae
A pet is not an impulse purchase. Just like having a child is not an impulse decision.

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Yep, basically my point/opinion too. I love pets - well, cats anyway, but picking one up on how cute it looks as a kitten without thinking about the long term repsonsibility is just... irresponsible.

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Originally posted by Jidoe
I love animals and I agree with you on the personal level, but if it's upkeeping your pet against feeding your children (or even yourself) and paying mortgage, then the pet has to go.

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I doubt many will disagree with you on this point. The main concern is that people are abandoning their pets and causing a greater societal problem instead of handling the situation appropriately. If you can't afford your pet anymore try and find someone else who can, if that fails take it to a shelter. If all else fails have it humanely put down instead of deserting it where it might slowly and painfully starve to death.