Animals & Money: Recession hurts dogs, horses, birds, all species
Filed under: Home, Travel, Recession
When people suffer financially, their animals face hardship, too. At the beginning of the year the Humane Society warned about about shelters being overwhelmed. Dogs and cats were losing their families when those families lost their homes. Now we're hearing about all kind of animals suffering in the financial downturn. Basically any animal that depends on humans is a little bit less secure.Dogs and Cats
Shelters around the country report a surge of animals surrendered. Some have surely been forced into the situation, but lots of animals seem to be cast out as if they were impractical luxury goods. In Los Angeles, an 11-year-old shepherd was left scared in the shelter; the Animal Shelter of Sterling, MA, tells the Worcester Telegram that they haven't seen this many surrendered animals in 15 years; dogs in Dallas are being dumped on the side of the road. And, as I wrote about earlier, some people cruelly abandoned their pets in the house as a way to inflict suffering on the bank -- never mind what it did to the animal.Wild Horses
The Bureau of Land Management wants to euthanize or sell off wild horses from the Western states, claiming that not enough people are stepping forward to adopt them. Blame the tough economy and rising feed costs. The government now keeps 30,000 horses in corrals and says it's getting too expensive. (Of course, others, like horse expert Deanne Stillman say that the BLM has mismanaged the whole population to the benefit of cattle ranchers.) The BLM also notes creepily that it has "thus far focused on sales only to those buyers whose intention is to provide long-term care." Does this mean they are going to start selling them at auction? Now that horsemeat is effectively banned here, buyers are just shipping horses to Canada and Mexico to be butchered.
Animals in Sanctuaries
Animals charities and sanctuaries are, like other non-profits, feeling the economic pinch. In a slow economy people give less, plus food and energy costs are higher. In England the Three Owls Bird Sanctuary says it might have to close, like five other animal charities recently did.
Sanctuaries that support themselves off visitors are also seeing a decline -- even though they make an excellent economical outing. One of the best places in the country to go bear viewing, the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary says its numbers of visitors has dropped -- though it is seeing more locals. Plus, many wildlife rehabbers work from their own pockets...and those pockets are increasingly empty.
Wild Birds And Animals we feed
Can we support a $4 billion hobby of feeding wild birds and squirrels in a recession? Maybe not. Especially since grain and corn are getting so expensive. The National Wildlife Federation has some suggestions for cheaper feeding.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-16-2008 @ 10:48AM
Jan said...
I am distressed to read this article. Between the Bush administration bringing this country down and the enticement of everyone can own a house, it is the animals, our truest friends, that will suffer the most. To abandon a pet in a foreclosed house is not only tragic but brutal. Animals depend on us for their needs and only want to comfort us.
People are struggling to feed their animals, hang on, help is coming. It won't be too long before one of the animal rights organizations will be prepared to face this terrible tragedy.
Don't abandon your pets, your horse, your sheep etc., their suffering will follow you to your grave.
People don't take responsibility for their choices anymore, if you thought Congress passed a bill to help homeowners you are wrong. The bill they passed only helps the banks and not the people who bought into the "American Dream/Nightmare" with no down and never heard of balloon payments.
We live on the edge today. We have no friends in Washington. But our pets are true friends. Please, don't let them go.
Jan in Beaver, Utah
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8-16-2008 @ 11:09AM
Hillary said...
I have 3 cats and work full time in a local thrift store.I support a family of 3 and a mortgage on one income of approx.20,000 a year.The cost of human and pet food have greatly increased over the past year.What do I do?I go the the pet food manufacturer's web sites and sign up for free samples and downloadable coupons.You can save a lot with internet access and a computer!The Sunday paper has lots of coupons and Target has many special offers for regular shoppers.You don't have to give up your beloved pets,but you have to network,shop smart and be creative about ways to save.Hope this helps:)
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8-16-2008 @ 12:11PM
Wildhart said...
Being a horse and dog owner, it has been extremely upsetting to see what is happenning. Dogs and horses are being abandoned and left to their own devices. Even with the strains on animals shelters, at least pet owners should have the decency to leave their pets at a shelter.
There was a case recently where a man starved his horses to death. He was put in jail and ordered to be given only bread and water for a week. Gotta love that judge! That's better than he treated the horses. All God's creatures should be treated with love and respect. It never ceases to amaze me that people are so irresponsible and cruel to animals.
Things are tight for most right now, but even donating a very small amount to animal rescue would help. Most shelters and rescues can always use food, old towels and blankets, beds, toys, medical supplies, etc. as well.
As for the wild horses, I'm so angry, that I can't even go into it right now.
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