We have seen evidence of the slowing economy right here in our community.  In the last few weeks we’ve had no fewer than five cats show up on our doorstep.  We know that the owners of two moved into town because they could not afford to commute from out here in the country any longer.  The others were most likely abandoned.  Many more come for a day or two and then leave.

Last week I found a small dog in our ditch.  Abandoned by his owners and hit by a car on our busy country road.  Tonight there is a stray dog sniffing around our house.

When I finally saw a short news blurb about the pet abandonment crisis, I wasn’t surprised at all.  I’ve linked one article below, but if you do a google search with the terms “pets”, “abandoned”, and “economy”, you’ll return a plethora of other articles.

The littlest victims

They are the innocent victims of the national housing crisis and Michigan’s economic slump — dogs and cats abandoned by people who have lost their homes to foreclosure or were forced by a job loss to relocate.

The number of pets dropped off at area animal shelters has soared in recent months, according to local officials. In some cases, people who have lost homes to foreclosures or evictions have simply left their animals behind.

Should we do anything?  Can we do anything?  This is something the old man and I really need to sit down and discuss.  In the past, we’ve never turned away a needy animal from our home.  But we just can’t keep up with this pace.  Neither can I take them to the shelter where I know they’ll be put down.  I will try to remember to make inquiries about vets in this area, try to find one who will alter stray cats for a lower fee.  Only our cats will continue to get the Revolution dot and only our cats will be allowed in the house.