Credit Crunch animals

[volence]

I would only re home my pets if there was absolutely no way that I could provide the food and shelter that they need, I was just trying to make my point that I wouldn't get rid of them just cos things get a little difficult with money. My pets are my life and It would kill me to let them go although if the worst did happen I would try for a temporary foster home for them until i got things sorted.
I just cant stand the people who are using the credit crunch as an excuse and then buying luxuries for themselves, it gets me mad. What is worse is that just after xmas there will be more homeless animals cos people get bored of the xmas pet. The animal welfare places will be bursting at the seams

[lincs lass]

There's a lot of people who get rid of the older pet to have a new pet for Xmas, or who get a new pet then because the old and the new don't get on will get rid of the old pet.

I heard of an old man who to make sure his cat was ok, wanted to use his winter heating allowance because in some cases it's all some elderly people have.

I would rather live in my car than get rid of any of my pets, or have a friend to look after them, or sell off my belongings until I got myself sorted. I cannot imagine life without them. I am happy to go without as long as my pets have food, I understand why I have to go without, but an animal doesn't.

And I also know some people don't have the choice because they've lost their home/job and these people I really feel sorry for. But I also know that some people will dump their pet at the drop of a hat.

[Vectisbirder]

Animals should be the last to go in any crisis. I have a dog, and a few years ago I was in severe financial trouble, but I made sure my dog was fed, even when I wasn't - not pride, Nick, just the decent thing to do. It was a temporary situation and I knew that i'd come out of it. Offloading my dog was not an option. Would you suggest that people offload their kids? A cat or dog isn't a child, but often it's all people have.
Some of the pet owners who say they might need to get rid of their animals might find it more prudent to knock off the fags and booze before offloading animals.

Sometimes, having to give up a pet is unavoidable, especially when people have to move into rented accommodation where a lot of landlords don't allow pets, but for other people, it's an excuse.

[Jez]

What makes me mad is at a time of credit crunch/ recession when a lot of us are feeling the pinch and loosing jobs is that Donald Trump can step in and pinch SSSI from vital habitats. Talk about kicking a dog when it's down! & yes, pets being sadly desposed of as a knock on affect is no cheer to me and to all pet lovers for obvious reasons. No better time for community spirit and pulling together methinks and when times come to us like this is when communities pull through, like days gone by when Christmas was far more humble, than the lavish years of out competing your neighbours in tinsel world. That has become a trend of late and when the crunch hits, you begin to realise what is more important.

[pat362]

I'm involved in animal rescue and have the cat shelter next to my boarding cattery. I've been inundated with requests to take cats, many from people who've had to move and who can't take their cats with them. I've managed to get them all in so far - but we're fast filling up. The other pets who are not having it so good are rabbits. I don't get on with them so well (!) but am aware of people living locally who just let the rabbits go, so am reluctant to refuse them. The dog side of the charity isn't doing so badly at the moment thank goodness, and we're managing to rehome most of the dogs brought in.

Pat