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Health & Fitness

Reflecting [on pets] During the Recession

"Recession" def: "Temporary decline in economic activity," 1929, from recess (q.v.). For some pets, a death sentence.


A couple of years ago, when families were losing their homes and savings because of the “recession,” I could only imagine the turmoil that took hold of their lives.  I remember seeing several families who cried when they were also forced to give up their beloved pets.  However, our souring economy did not happen overnight ─ spending, bad choices, and poor decisions made by humans brought us to this point.  All of us have had to sacrifice, but with no voice or vote, our pets are being condemned to a more dire fate, often costing them their lives.

When you have some time, visit your local animal shelter and see the animals begging for attention, wondering what they did wrong to end up in such a deplorable place.  Our pets are living beings; they have feelings and memories; they cannot speak, write letters or vote.  Yet, with their look, the wag of a tail, or a lick on your chin, you know what they feel.

Shelters were originally built to be a place where stray animals could be taken and then reunited with their owners.  Now, because some people are moving, or a couple is divorcing, or a new baby is on the way, shelters have become convenient dumping grounds.  Some hope that shelter employees will look after their pets and see to it that they will be adopted into caring homes.  The reality is that, no matter how cute, how young, or how sweet they think their pet is, they leave it to fate and pure luck whether the innocent pet lives or dies.

Some shelters appear modern looking, built at great expense, with large lobbies, fountains, and social yards.  People seem to be under the impression that they are leaving their defenseless, scared pet in a “pet spa;” that they will receive exercise, a good diet, and proper grooming.  The truth is that the majority of dogs may not get out of their cell for days at a time, and then only when a volunteer shows up to walk them and provide them with some human companionship.  Often, the volunteers are the ones who report an animal who has stopped eating or has injured itself.  More often than not, volunteers leave the shelters in tears, apologizing on their way out to those dogs they didn’t have time to interact with, and promising that tomorrow they will take them out of their cage to run around for a few moments in the yard and remember what it felt like to be petted and cooed to.  But for many, there is no tomorrow.

Granted, there are circumstances beyond one’s control when their only option is to take their pet to the shelter.  But for the others, it’s just an easy escape from what should be, until natural death, responsible pet ownership.  How does one say to a child who adores his/her pet that the animal is now too old, or it grew larger than it was expected to be, or they are moving and they cannot take the pet with them?  You can make an excuse that you can no longer afford your pet because of medical issues, but there are agencies that can be contacted that are often able to assist financially.  You can make an excuse that the landlord will not allow your pet in the building, but there are landlords who welcome pets, and there are agencies you can contact to help you find such a place.  You should contact your city council to suggest they offer incentives to proprietors who allow pets, especially because many people consider their pet to be a family member.  You can make an excuse you don’t have time for your pet, but there are agencies that will go to your home and walk and play with your dog.  Interact with your neighbors and you might learn that there are additional resources to help you through the trying times.  Sometimes it does take a village, but you can make a choice that will benefit everyone.

This may not be the best time to go out and spend money.  What better time to teach a child right from wrong, and to love and respect animals and other life.  If you, as an adult, cannot make a commitment to a pet who depends on you to love it and care for it, why should you expect your child to be any more committed to you when you are unable to care for yourself!  If children are not taught at a young age to value life and to care for the helpless, then the cycle of not assuming responsibility for personal actions will only continue.

Recently, I spent an entire day at one of our city’s shelters.  It appears to be taking me longer than usual to recover from the number of pets I witnessed being dumped.  For the first few hours, I, along with another volunteer, stood out front questioning those who were giving their pets up and offering them materials that might provide enough information to help them choose another alternative.  We
asked if they could hold on to their pets for one week, so we could try to help find a rescue organization to help.  No one took us up on the offer.  At least a couple of people said they would like to be called if the pet is going to be put down.  One woman came to turn in an “aggressive” two-year old cat.  We asked whether the cat had been neutered or had even been taken to a vet to find out if it had a medical condition that could be affecting his personality.  The answer was “No.”  We thought we had her convinced to get the cat looked at by a vet, but instead of putting any money towards that option, she opted to use her money to pay the shelter’s relinquishment fee.

During the latter part of the day, I walked through the kennels, taking pictures, walking a few of the dogs, to be forever haunted by the faces looking up at me and pleading for some attention. 

Our pets need to be sheltered, but not discarded in one.  PLEASE CHOOSE TO CARE FOR THEM.  THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON YOU!


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