I fully expect to get the usual comments about how people need the money and this is not a thing to worry about. That’s cool.
I know there is a lot of demands on limited money in almost everyone’s household these days. With all the talk about the market jitters, folks don’t have a lot of extra money. I completely get that.
This story at ‘Coma’s reminds me, though, of the innocent who are suffering without voices to speak for them.
As foreclosures rise the amount of pets abandoned by the owners who can no longer afford them is out of control. A lot of people who are forced to leave their homes are leaving their pets behind–often without food or water.
This has been going on for more than a year–the story I linked to at ABC was actually 10 months old–and there isn’t much we can do to change it. The desperate people who leave the animals have other concerns.
When you write your mortgage or rent check this month, please consider making a $5 or $10 donation to the Humane Society in your local area. They’re the ones taking in a majority of these animals,and your donation may keep a few cats and dogs alive to be adopted into a home that actually loves them.
Just Another Pretty Farce 
That’s excellent advice about giving to the Humane Society. Thanks so much!
I went to PetSmart this week to buy some cat food and stopped to pet the cats up for adoption like always, and noticed there was one that had a note on his door saying his owner couldn’t afford to feed him anymore and have to give him away.
I know these are hard times. I know things suck. I have about $12 in my checking account right now, I get it. But I sat there and looked at that sweet, all-white cat and my heart just broke for him. He was probably wondering what the hell was going on, why was he in a metal box and not at home with his owners getting petted like usual? But then I wondered if the type of person who usually loved on their animals, talked to them, cared for them, would actually be able to give them up.
I have thought several times about what I would do if I felt it came down to choosing between us being able to eat or feed the cats. But why, before giving your pet up, couldn’t you try feeding them what you eat? If you can’t afford cat food, give them scraps? I guess if you lose your home and are on the streets, the kinder thing to do is to give your animal up in hopes of finding it another home.
I don’t know. I’d like to think it was a heart-wrenching decision for this person, but I can’t help but wonder how many people are finding it too easy to just give up there pets when times get rough. There is no way in hell, no matter how hungry I had to go, I would give my three cats up. It’s just not possible. I think it would kill me.
Welcome to Shak & Jill, Kat. Thanks for posting this!!
Megan,
I’m a hundred and 20 percent with you. I just can’t fathom people who get a pet on a whim and treat it with less care and consideration than they would treat the remote control for a forty-dollar DVD player. Like you I would starve myself before denying my pets their food.
Great post, except that I disagree that little can be done. Fuck their other concerns. Track them down and charge them with felony cruelty to animals. Lost your house? Boo Hoo. Go to jail. Anybody who leaves an animal to starve to death alone deserves worse than that.