http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34117457/ns/us_news-the_elkhart_project
I'm positive that this is happening all over the country.
It angers me that people treat animals like this. People's attitudes toward animals sickens me. When will people realize that animals aren't posessions that can be casually tossed aside?
I don't know about any of you, but there is no way on Earth that I would EVER abandon my pet. No matter what it took, I would take care of him and make sure he had food to eat.
Anything less than that, IMO, is despicable.
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It is pretty insulting to people that they are casually tossing them aside. Pets are awesome, however when the choice is feeding pets or feeding children, people will generally choose children.
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
There is more to it then just $15 a month on food. I wish it was $15 a month for dog food. I have a 90 lb. rottweiler who goes through about two giant bags of food per month, which comes out to roughly $100 a month on just food. Not to mention that she needs her heartworm medicine monthly (as a preventative measure), treats, bones, toys, and oh, by the way, she has to take her joint medicine, propagest and the occasional vet visit for check ups, emergency situations etc.
Now, my dog also have cancer right now so I am spending through the nose right now for chemo treatments. That isn't typical, but I think it is folly to think that 15 bucks a month satisfies the pet expenses.
Ialso don't have kids. If I had even one child right now, I don't think I would be able to afford the chemo treatments on my dog, as much I love her, I would have to make the tough decision to make her as comfortable as possible and let her go.
Fortunately I am in a position where I can take care of her, but in these times, luxury items are the first to go, and as cold as it sounds, animals are just that. Int eh eys of this country, animals are nothing more than property in these types of situations.
Having said that, I think there are plenty of options for people who can no longer keep their pets. No kill shelters, adoption services and the kindness of strangers/family should all be utilized as opposed to just ditching your animal.jetssuck, BuckeyeKing, opfinistic and 1 other person like this. -
I'd feed my dogs before I'd feed myself. But that's me. My dogs are my kids.
I wouldn't understand people abandoning their pets, but I could understand them giving them up for adoption or to a shelter.TrueDolFan likes this. -
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I've got my two dogs and they are a bit expensive at times, Chorizo requires Insulin and needles on a regular basis, and they eat a specially formulated Dog Food that ain't cheap mixed with boiled chicken thighs. Even when things have been tight as hell I've kept up with their shots, their food, their flea control and heartworm meds, I've eaten Ramen Noodles for dinner here and there while they eat their special food mixed with chicken. I have felt that people should be required to have a license to own certain pets, not to make money for the state, or whoever, but that license should be issued after taking a class that helps educate people on the pros and cons of having a pet. Having to take a class and get a license would probably help curb the 'impulse' pet buyers that end up choosing a pet they (and the poor animal) end up regretting.
jetssuck, Samphin and TrueDolFan like this. -
I pay $12.99 for a 4 pound bag of super-premium grain-free food for my dog. That lasts him roughly a month. But he's a 13 pound Bichon Frise, not a huge rot. I'd say with all the expenses, it's around $75-80 per month to take care of him.
I think too many idiots go out and buy a dog, not understanding that there is more to taking care of him than giving him food and water.Samphin likes this. -
I feel the same way about people needing a license to have kids, but that's a topic for a whole different discussion...opfinistic likes this. -
You ain't lying. -
i have a bulldog and a daughter. the 2 most expensive examples of their respective species. caesar just had his, i want to say, 10th surgery? he is 5. fortunately , its non-life threatening stuff. but that, and a fancy diet to keep his sensitive skin and bowels in check. its way more expensive than i ever anticipated.
he's my 2nd bulldog. the first went nearly 12 years problem free.
and yeah, try having a wife with a 2 yr old daughter. you want to talk credit card bills...
Que, Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads.jetssuck and opfinistic like this. -
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Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει
A couple of years ago, I was walking my rotty (Roxy) into a petsmart and saw a gorgeous rottweiler/Bermese Mountain Dog mix named...Rocky. He looked and acted like the male version of my dog and I decided to adopt him on the spot.
Before I signed off on everything, I brought him and my pup to a play area and let them meet one another. Everything was kosher until he snuck up behind my dog to smell her, it startled her, she turned, showed her teeth and snapped at him. At that point, I called the adoption off for fear that they may not get along beyond the normal feeling out process.
The last thing I needed was double the vet bills from two agressive dogs who can't seem to figure out how to live with one another. While I was sad it didn't work out, I found out later that Rocky was adopted by a nice family who loves him to this day. I think everyone is probably better off for how it worked out.
I suppose the point of the story was that if responsible pet owners can step away from the thrill of getting something "new" and realize why it is or isn't a good idea, we would have less of a problem.jetssuck, opfinistic and TrueDolFan like this. -
Too many people just plain aren't... -
TrueDolFan likes this.
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Unfortunately, there is no magic solution here. This is hard, cold reality. I wouldn't say that everyone who gives up their pets to a shelter doesn't feel anything for them. I remember when I adopted my cat at the shelter, a young couple came in and dropped off a couple of kittens. It looked like it was hard for the woman.
I'm also one of those that would give up other luxuries for my cat. He would be the last thing to go. I miss him so much.opfinistic likes this. -
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