there is a huge problem in the US as a whole. More so in the rural, less educated, more backwards areas as the south. But still, it is a big problem up here as well - animal control picks up all the stray dogs, but they will have to be killed - slowly - in gas chambers as many shelters just don't have the money to euthanize them humanely.

I volunteer for a cat and dog rescue group and it makes me sick how many people just go out and buy a puppy at a petstore because it is cute and then dump it because vet care is too expensive or they move and don't care to bring the pet along. I've taken in numerous senior dogs (for the rescue group to then adopt out) that have been dumped because they were old and not so cute anymore, only for the family to go out and get another puppy.

My Molly was on death row at age 9 - nobody wanted her because she is a big black dog - though with the sweetest temperament. She was pulled on her last day and I adopted her from the rescue group that pulled her.

Makes me sick and I could go ballistic over it.

People also don't bother to spay/neuter their pets, so there is always an abundance of unwanted litters of dogs and cats.

I call it a huge problem when you have to put down baby dogs and cats because nobody wants them.


Did you grow up with animals?