A Dog is for Life!
No matter how many times we say it, every year thousands of people fail to take onboard the old adage; a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.
Now, more than ever, pet centres across the country are experiencing a surge in abandoned pets as the first depression Christmas season comes to a close. Despite being in difficult financial circumstances, thousands of people insisted on investing in pets for Christmas, only to realise they can’t afford to keep them. On Christmas day itself the RSPCA received 22 dogs and 11 cats in the south-west of England alone! Animal charities blame a lack of forward thinking amongst new owners, who don’t consider the costs of food, pet insurance and the many other little expenses that are involved in owning a pet.
Hence, despite temperatures of -8 degrees, record numbers of pets were abandoned by their owners or handed over kennels over the holiday season. In December, 35 dogs and 60 cats were abandoned in Worcestershire and Manchester Dogs Home were forced to take in 108 new dogs! With even less people adopting pets during the recession, many homes simply don’t have room for the extra animals!
Without a doubt people need to start thinking more before getting a pet and, if they are going to do it, more need to consider adopting one from care.
