Did anyone see that item on the telly the other day about the credit crunch and it's affects on the number of animals/dogs being abandoned!!! It made me so sad and angry.

I could never dump my pets, I just wouldn't do it. They arn't accessories like handbags or shoes to be changed with fashions. It sickened me to see that more dogs and animals are being dumped because things are getting tougher.

My dogs have always had rights. I know I am part of the pack. I couldn't just abandon them after giving them a home.

My cat was nearly put to sleep when I got him because of his problems, but I couldn't do that to a 5 week old kitten, he had to have his chance of life. Now he is 4 and a furball in cats cloathes. I couldn't give up on him then, and I can't now.

My cousin on the other hand often dumps his pets when they become an inconvenience. I hate it when he does this, and have occasionally taken on his dogs. One I really regret saying no to was a beautiful sheltie, came from battersea as a replacement for another dog that was put down (cancer of the spine) the day before!!! He was a darling but needed more effort than my cousin or his wife were prepaired for. They were used to an elderly ill labrador, not a young sheltie. So he spent months chained to the newel post of the stairs Then he was sent back to Battersea (his 4th time) Many's the time I have hoped he now has a forever home. I would have had him when he was first offered to me, but then I was still thinking of my old Poll and how she would take it. Then when I got Moll I was offered him again and turned him down having just got moll. I should have had him, but by then he was so neurotic having been chained to the stairs for so long, I wasn't sure I could cope.

My cousin then went out and got another dog, which he dumped a number of times both here and in ireland... !!!

Oh yeah, according to my cousin my dog (he was responsible for me having Moll from his neighbour) is a MURDERER who should be put to sleep... She is not to be trusted near his kids, and is not allowed near them. I do not take care of her properly, or train her right. I mollycoddle and spoil her... I don't feed her right - she should eat 6 days of dry food and starve on the 7th!!! I am as untrustworthy and dangerous to be around as my dog...

and you still speak to your cousin after all he's done????!!!!! poor sheltie, fancy being tied to the stairs, no wonder it was neurotic. lets hope he's found his forever home eh?! sounds like your cousin should be banned from keeping dogs!

Your a better person then I am if you still talk to him. Some people should be put down! (sorry if that harsh, but people should be treated as they treat their pets.)

I think some people should never have animals!!

My thoughts too. I would have ratted my cousin to the RSPCA and nearly did, but my mother talked me out of it... 'you don't do that to family...!'. I know I should have done, but by the time I thought yes they had dumped the dog back at battersea.

I still speak to him because he is family, but would prefer not to. I could say it was his wife's fault (she wasn't a dog person) but it was my cousin that bought the dog into the relationship, insisting they got a replacement for the old lab.... (He was also restricted to the hall!!! But not chained). He insisted on the dog but did nothing towards it's upkeep... The wife is now an ex - about the time the dog was given up...

I now keep my eye on his pets welfare. If he does something like this again, and I know of it, I will rat him out - family or no...

Good for you just keep an eye. The person that says some humans should get put down, I say with bells on!!!!

Was just talking to my neighbours about this. I truly believe there should be some licensing system for dogs (and maybe cats too?) where people are chosen as carefully as rescues do when rehoming. Home checks/right animal for right person etc. It would probably save money in the long run

My mum was raving mad after watching that programme. Like she says the people have still got their posh cars, tellies, gameboys etc etc etc.

1st thing to go ...the dog .....and lets face it, they ain't that expensive to keep

Though many people do see dogs as "disposable" i can sympathise with those in true financial hardship in having to make that decision. There was an article a few months back (for the life of me i can't remember where ) saying that due to increasing repossesions of homes many more animals are being given to rescues. After repossesion, many people are placed in either B&B's or private housing very few of which allow pets.

I think i would rather someone have their pet rehomed than neglect medical care due to finances.

Unfortunately, many people who impulse buy who then just get bored often use the finance card as a justification for getting rid of a member of their family.