You know, at this time of year it’s very easy to kick back, relax, enjoy the warm New Zealand summer and be thankful for the life we live, and then you hear about some of the truly awful things people do to their pets and it just makes you so mad! Well, it makes me mad, anyways. I was reading our paper online today and found a news story about an eleven month old ridgeback cross puppy who’d been rescued on Christmas Eve by our SPCA. Here’s a link to her special blog where the SPCA staff are chronicling her journey back to good health.
I’m just stunned at how anyone could absolve themselves of their responsibilities to their pet like this and I certainly hope that when the SPCA inspectors catch up with them (and they know who they are) that the owner/s are hit with the full extent of the laws against cruelty to animals. Thankfully it looks as though this pup will have a happy ever after but it could have all been so different if her plight hadn’t been brought to the SPCA’s attention when it was.
There should be a basic rule with regard to pets and that is LOVE YOUR ANIMALS and if you can’t love your animals…don’t have ‘em.
I’m with you Yvonne. It never ceases to amaze me how pets are treated like ‘things’. The number of dumped animals (now unwanted Christmas presents) at our local shelter is horrifying. When will people realise a pet is a COMMITMENT?
Comment by Fran — 7 January, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
But, for many, isn’t commitment a dirty word these days? I think that perhaps we’re just old fashioned, Fran, and personally I prefer to be that way.
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 8 January, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
Amen to that! I can’t stand to see any animal treated badly. Our animals are like my kids.
Comment by Crystal G — 15 January, 2008 @ 7:04 am
Sometimes I think animals are even harder work than kids because they can’t always tell you when something is wrong. They’ve just got to hope you pick up on it. Mind you, kids can’t generally be left in boarding kennels when you go on holiday, can they
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 27 January, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
I have just read your story about the pup, and I am in totally agreement with you on this. I was told by my local council office that if I wanted to rent accommodation through them then I would have to get rid of my pets. I refused and was not allowed to proceed with my application. But on a happy note was allowed to stay in my orignal home when my current landlord purchased my home via the official receiver and allowed me to stay with my pets.
Comment by Jackie Riches — 1 March, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Hi Jackie. Glad to hear you found a solution that allowed you to remain with your pets, and them with you too!
Comment by yvonnelindsay — 1 March, 2008 @ 11:02 pm