Pet owners are giving up their dogs and cats at an alarming rate.
This is just another sign of how our failing economy is affecting the American household. A family is more than just a legal guardian and 1.2 children, but also includes the family pet.
Breed rescues are seeing this on a daily basis, pet owners coming in, having to make a decision that they see is no longer in their control. Many times they feel the burden and anxiety of household debt looming over their heads. This is an regrettable result of our recient times.
Examples of people making the decision of settling their debt, or taking care of a cherished member of the household have been popping up all over our country. From people turning in their pets in order to pay for medical bills, to households putting down their pets so they can afford to dig out of debt and try not to drown in the debt. The economic downfall is making it all the more difficult for some families to justify paying as much as a thousand dollars each year or more on the upkeep and food for their pets.
The population expansion at animal shelters around the country shows how the fragile economy is also decreasing the pool of would-be adopters.
The back lash has been overpopulation of shelters causing a faster rate of pets being killed, and quite a few shelters turning away families looking to surrender dogs and cats. Of the estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats sent to animal shelters every year, over half are euthanized what is left is found new homes.
Having to make the choise to leave behind a dog or cat can inflict deep emotional scars on a household, even more on the children who don’t understand economic stress. We cannot expect them to recognize the problematical decision their parents have to make, leaving their cat to ensure after they pay their bills and debt they can be fed and clothed.
The only other option for many people other than giving up their pet is to dig themselves out of debt. Debt settlement companies can help families lower their monthly house hold expenses eliminating their need to make the demanding decision to allow their pet to be killed. The more people understand that there are options; the less stress will be put on the local shelters trying to deal with this issue on a daily basis.
Another option is to find a person or family member able to temporarily adopt your dog or cat. This would allow you to rest easy knowing they are well taken care of and loved. This would allow you to take time and create a debt relief plan putting them in a position to once again make their pet a part of the household again.
Mail this post
