Everyone at some point has looked at their lazing hound or snoring kitty and thought “wow, what an easy life, not a worry in the world.”
But we never think of how the changes in our lives really change our pets’ lives too.
Confused Molly – Sang Valte Flickr
Anyone who has moved house with a pet in-tow will know the stress an animal can go through. My personal experience had me in hysterics when my kitties were panting they were so stressed out. It’s difficult to uproot any animal from its original home, but as long as they have a constant (i.e. you) then slowly but surely they should settle.
Hugo Cardoso Flickr
What people don’t think about is those who leave their pets behind. It’s no secret that a lot of people are making cuts on their spending and even I have fallen to the downsizing trend.
But it’s becoming an increasing trend (according to my obsession with watching RSPCA rescue programmes) that people are leaving their pets behind.
Six people needed to rescue 12-stone St Bernard dog
When I first read the title of this article on BBC News Online, I gasped a little with the sheer size of the dog and the comedy of needing six people to move it.
But the story behind this is that this dog along with a cat and a hamster were simply abandoned.
I could never bring myself to abandon an animal because I know that no domestic pet can fend for itself. Despite the belief cats are independent, they are not used to hunting to stay alive. Dogs are pack animals, they cannot live by themselves with no one filling their food dish. And as for the hamster; those bars are made to withstand those teeth so it doesn’t have a hope at all.
Too many people are abandoning their animals and costing charities like the RSPCA thousands of pounds to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home these pets.
“If people have pets they cannot care for, for any reason, then help and advice is always available from the RSPCA and other animal charities.” – RSPCA Inspector Gemma Cooper
Please share the message that there are alternatives to abandoning pets or leaving them to starve.
If you know anyone who is struggling then let them know there are charities there to help and places that can find a home for a pet that has the funding to support pets (let’s be honest that 12-stone St Bernard must have had a hefty food bill!).
Find help on the RSPCA website http://www.rspca.org.uk/home
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