Abandonment of pets a growing problem

There are many responsible pet owners who suffer great anguish over decisions affecting their pets, especially when hard times force them to look for cutbacks in household budgets. Other animals owners see the lives that they have taken charge of as simply pieces of property to dispose of as they wish.

The tough economy is putting pressure on both types of people who have pets, with the good ones sometimes forced to outplace their dog or cat, or to even place them in a shelter. The not-so-good ones are just walking off, leaving pets behind, telling no one, with fatal consequences for the animals. (See link to article below.)

There is help out there, though, especially for the good owners who are motivated to keep their companion animals in tip-top shape. There are no-kill shelters (although we hear they are filling up), there are friends and neighbors and family members who can help.

And then there is The Sixth Day program in Whittier that will help owners with food for their pets in these troubled times. Some limited assistance with other pet care is available from time to time. Check it out at sixthdayfan.com, or e-mail revmary@sixthdayfan.com.

http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/disturbing-trend-more-dogs-abandoned-when-owners-move-away?cid=examiner-email