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Animal lovers giving up pets?

Ive heard on a local radio the other day that a lot of animal owners here on the Cape are giving up their pets because of their financial hardships. Taking care of Dogs, Cats and other animals can be very expensive with trips to the Veterinarian becoming very costly for shots and medications. There are animal homeless shelters here on the Cape for Dogs and Cats that are non-profit organizations that let people adopt their homeless animals.

This is yet another sign of our hard times, along with $4/ gallon of gas, higher food prices, foreclosures and workers losing their jobs around the country! It doesnt sound like those rebate checks put any kind of a dent into helping homeowners or animal lovers being able to make ends meet in these hard economic times!

dog

Posted by Stephen D White, E-Pro, ABR Cape Cod Realtor® on 07/13/2008 12:13 PM

Comments (20)

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20 Comments on Animal lovers giving up pets?

JUL

2008

This is really sad to hear. I'm completely with you though Stephen, giving a cat or dog away to an animal shelter is the responsible way to deal with the problem, and I would further recommend that anyone giving up a dog or cat should try to donate to that shelter to help with their costs as soon as they're able. Shelters don't run for free and need constant support from animal lovers to be able to provide for their charges.

That is a really sad when times get that tough for a family that they need to give up loved pets. You know they must be in a dire situation to resort to that.

Unfortunately, stories abound about people leaving their pets when they move out of a foreclosure. This is another unforeseen problem with a slumping real estat market.

Thank you for your comments. I agree that leaving a pet with a shelter is a much better option than just leaving it off at a local bus station or grocery store for someone else to deal with as some have done in the past.

I had to give up my 3 dogs, but because my baby was extremely allergic to them, and it could cause asthma. I am a dog lover so that was pretty tough, but my daughter has to come first.

Ok David of course you have to take care of your daughter first! hope your dogs find a good home as well!

This just breaks my heart! When times are difficult is when people need the unconditional love of their pets the most. Wouldn't it be nice if some of the local shelters could set up a program where people suffering with financial hardships could get free or heavily discounted pet food and necessary medical care for their pets, allowing the pet to stay with their owner? The shelter will end up paying for food if the pet is left there anyway, so why not create a situation where the expense would be less (since there would be no cost for shelter or daily care) and the pet and owner would not have to be torn apart.

Steve I did see on the TV a teenager who had setup a website that people were donating to, to enable her to give pets food.

Unfortunately, those who are least able to fend for themselves are hurt the most. We hear constant stories here of abandoned litters of puppies and kittens.

I would think seniors on a limited fixed income would also have a problem financially keeping their pets. It is sad as pets are ideal companions for those who live alone. I am sure many seniors who live alone would love the companionship of a pet however, simply cannot afford it. Perhaps a program to assist seniors in adopting and maintaining a pet.

Yes thanks for your comments

JUL

2008

I must say how sad it is to hear thi9s is happening to local pets. Ii would never let this happen to my animals as they are members of my family. Seriously I would give up as many unneeded expenses before I got to this point. I might even get a second or third job if I really had to! I find people often by pets and don't realize all there is to taking care of them. It is selfish and unfair to the animal. However I am happy to hear most of them are leaving their animals at shelters.

JUL

2008

Stephen: It's so sad how far the effects of this economy are reaching. The pets being giving up break my heart. One day I'd like to own a big farm for unwanted animals.

NOV

2008

One day after the election and Mass has voted to eliminate dog racing in this state. What's going to happen to the racing dogs?

DEC

Here's a latest article about people giving up their pets due to the economy at http://my.earthlink.net/article/bus?guid=20081221/494f1ed0_3422_1334620081222-1232544817

DEC

Stephen, I am a HUGE believer in believing that as a Realtor, if you love animals YOU MUST HELP..Keep spreading the word!

Ok Tara I try to update and maintain my AR blogs and keep animal lovers like yourself in the Know! thanks for your comments and Happy Holidays!

DEC

I found this link on facebook for anyone wanting to find or adopt a pet at http://www.petfinder.com

As our snowstorm started to whip it's way through Flagstaff, my dog and her two friends (who were hanging out to play) growled out the back door. They started going a little bit crazy. I turned on the lights and there she was, an absolutely beautiful dog shivering in the snow. I coaxed her inside and saw that she had a bad gash on her back leg.

Ten stiches later ($225), she is an absolute loveball. I reported her in to the Humane Society but obviously nobody has asked for her.

Some people's hearts melt at the plight of other humans. I've always been an animal lover and believe that helping any living being is positive, worthwhile, and contributes to our greater good.

Maybe some of us pet lovers can volunteer to foster some of the abandoned pets.. a shorter term commitment that doesn't take on the full term responsibilities of a full time pet?

JAN

thanks for your comments Eileen

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