[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Sure, but that's not always what's up. Things happen. We have a cat and a dog and we deal with issues with them. We bought them and we are committed, but at the end of the day, sometimes people have no choice.

My cat is simply destroying the carpet at our rental right now. I know I'm going to have to pay for replacement when we move out. I thought about trying to find a home for him and then possible Humane Society if not, but I'm not doing that, but I could see how some people use it as a last resort. I really can't afford to replace the carpet, but I couldn't live with myself taking my cat to the HS. I could see how some people might get put into a bad position and not have a choice though.

I think that's the problem right there.
People aren't using the shelter as a last resort, they're using it as an easy out.
I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of pets in shelters are from people who didn't think the decision to buy a pet through properly and now don't know how to/don't want to deal with the ammount of work a pet actually takes.

The reality is, for the most part if people are responsible/commited owners, they are much more likely to find a differnet solution. It's the people that can't be bothered that are filling up the shelters.

That being said, I obviously don't have any numbers to back this up, but I'm willing to bet the vast majority of people agree with me.