Abandoning Your Dog

An update to this post is Compassionate Action.

It must be an emotionally wrenching thing to do. To abandon your dog.

This seems to be happening to a number of dogs and their humans during this uneasy economic period with an increase in foreclosures.

While the numbers aren't clear, there are noticeable situations in Chicago and elsewhere that people in financial difficulties are moving from their homes into apartments that do not allow pets.

While some people are taking their pets to local shelters, others are abandoning their cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, horses. Simply leaving them locked up in their homes and farms without access to food, water and care. The Chicago Tribune reports there are a number of notorious cases in several states.

As appalling as this news is, it is certainly a testament to how our pet population is affected by what goes on in our national economic arena. And, it says a lot about how shocking and debilitating it must be for pet owning humans who find themselves in dire financial straits.

With 85% of US dog owners reporting that they consider their dogs a family member, I cannot imagine the personal desperation and shock that must cause people to walk away from their pets.

In fact in the Pew Research Center's study on "Gauging Family Intimacy--Dogs Edge Cats (Dads Trail Both,)" 94% of respondents said they had a close relationship with their dog, while 87% said they had a close relationship with their mom, and 74% said they had a close relationship with their dad.

How can you help?

We all know the cost of owning a dog is not insignificant. If you know someone going through financial difficulties, you can gently ask if they need help finding a new home for their pets.

You've got lots of resources available to you: your vet or groomer may know of people wanting a nice dog, and you can contact the local shelters.

One of the best ways to find local shelters is to go to www.petfinder.com, scroll down the purple left column to the box "Find Animal Welfare Groups." Type in your zip code, and you will get a list of shelters whose location is an ever expanding geographic circle from your location.

If your location is not covered by Petfinder, you can look for shelters at the World Society for the Protection of Animals and at World Animal Net.

Let's offer active compassion to humans and their dogs who find themselves in frightening circumstances.

An update to this post is Compassionate Action.