Credit Crunch Casualties

[Thurston Lodge]

Lordy this is a hard thread to read - my heart is breaking for you all and for the abandoned pets. And for mine. I now have three horses, an adopted pony (abandoned! by the previous owners of the property), our cat and our dog.

I have no job. We moved to this smaller city in the hope of cheaper prices and better opportunity ... it's worse. On a daily basis I think variously of doing away with myself or leaving my beautiful 6yo son and the husband I used to adore. I am shutting myself away from all I love so they may eat and I can stop hurting.

It's not just in the US, I've been 6 months now without a job - I have been offered two, yes, but it's not just the money (which is low but money and would be welcome) but the hours. We have no family here so there is no-one familiar to look after my son when I work late and my husband being in law enforcement (as you would say) works shiftwork so there is quite a 3-8 hour overlap on either job. Plus saturdays when there is no after-school care or holiday programs, and he earns just enough gross (although most goes in tax and child support for his first family) that by $78/week gross we don't qualify for any of the assistances that are out there.

I know many of you will think this horrible of me and I feel for those who don't have their husbands and would dearly love them back (and feel free to read me some home truths) but the only reason I don't leave or do something silly is my animals. Who would love my horses as much as me? Who would understand my dog the way I do and who would really REALLY love my cat who has been my companion for over 10 years through hell and high water.

It is thoroughly depressing and I can understand people handing over their animals and saying that $20 on dog food is more food in my mouth, or a bit of a bill paid.

Welcome to the 21st century ....

[Cheetah]

I lost my job about 6-7 months ago, and couldn't find another in time, before I lost my home, because I was buying food for myself and my pets rather than paying rent. I could have rehomed all my animals in order to pay the rent and I would've kept the place, but I don't think any place to live is ever worth the lives of my pets.

I'm lucky to have found somebody who doesn't charge me rent, and has allowed me to get back on my feet so I can move out into my own place again. I just hope the economy picks up soon, because I still can't afford to live on my own.

[Nettle]

Life can be a crock of ordure sometimes. My heart goes out to you genuine people who are at the limits.


The times when my life has been truly beyond endurance, it has been the animals that got me through.

[pro-ecollar]

Our shelters here have reported that their at full capacity as well. Living in the country I'm seeing more dogs abandoned along the road, many of them getting hit by cars or starving. About 2 months ago I was able to capture a little wirehair terrier type dog that was running around. Spent the first month getting it healthy and looking for a potential owner. Spent the 2nd month finding a good home for it. I can't imagine giving up dogs...

Paul

[deerewife]

News report this morning- Horse versus car collisions are on the rise.

People cann't afford to feed their horses and the rescues are full, so now people have taken to releasing their horses in "rural" areas. Not like there is any grass available, we already have our "perma-snow" for the long winter. The state ag department is going to be trying to work with rescues to help these animals.

[Nettle]

People have very odd ideas about animal ownership. If they truly cannot afford the horse, can't sell it and the rescues are full, the last good deed is to have the beast put down, not turn it loose to starve.

[PSnyder]

There are rescue agencies who will take animals that can't be cared for. More and more shelters are becoming 'no kill' with exception being for extreme age or serious illness. I personally own 2 pets that were strays, we took them in from the streets and the love and devotion we've gotten from them can't be measured. I also have a dog I adopted from rescue and a cat adopted from a shelter. I've also had extreme expenses incurred to care for a pet with chronic health issues where veterinary, medical and special food costs between age 5 and 12 exceeded $12,000. Somehow I always found a way to cover his expenses and make sure he was cared for.
However, some people haven't the means to do that and local vets can help lead them toward the right people to help get their friends adopted. Dumping an animal is a terrible thing to do. We live in an area where we see abandoned animals all the time and it's heartbreaking to watch. There ARE other options.

[maxinesp]

I think there is a mix of people who are genuinely not that bothered about pets once they get them and people who are genuinely struggling. I had to sell a house due to the mortgage increasing and was lucky enough to get a rented house around the corner. But this house has all sorts of problems and I cant find another landlord willing to take me and my 4 dogs so I can understand where people are coming from. I actually cook my dogs food now which is healthier and cheaper than tinned, I sit in bed with an electric blanket on because I cant afford to leave the heating on but sometime I have to relent if I see one of the dogs cold, I feel awful. I struggle with things and dont go out/socialise much anymore because dog insurance/vets etc comes first, they are my babies. it would break my heart to have to give one up and I hope it never comes to it. It must be awful for people. I wish I could take them all in.