"Absolutely right. And the reality is ALSO that **millions** of animals are killed in shelters every year, because people can't be responsible enough to properly care for their own pets."



Of those millions of animals killed every year by shelters a significant number are surrendered because the animal is too old or sick to go on, shelters take in these animals in a humane manner in order to put them down, many people would say that the owner acted responsibly to end suffering, other animals are determined to be too dangerous either by the owner or by court order and these animals are also destroyed. Other animals escape, often at no fault of the owner, and are put down before the owner can locate them. Another source for surrendered animals are those families who for what ever legitimate reason (family illness, katrina etc. ) can not provide for their pet, they go out of their way to ensure that the animal is turned over to the shelter, often they hold onto the belief that their pet will be re-homed. Many of these are not placed and this also makes up a significant amount of the total number, again this is not the fault of the owner.



Calling all pet owners who surrender a pet irresponsible (or an idiot), and I hope that you are not doing that, is irresponsible. It only undermines animal welfare efforts. Ruin the public's trust and the perception that they will be received and treated with respect when they work with a shelter or rescue organization will result in more abandoned animals.



Much of your language and arguments, see above for an example, tends to fall in line with the animal rights crowd. You may be aware of that and you very well be on board with their agenda. If you are not take the time to really think about what you statements mean and how counter productive they are to the very efforts we all want, to stop people from abandoning their pets. If pet owners have issues, and we all do, then they will need help. Please do not deter them from seeking help by labeling them irresponsible and an idiot in public forums such as this one.

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