Reply #3: this may be an unpopular statement, but

[Ex Lurker]

I wonder how many of these people are actually in such dire straits that they HAD to give up their dog, and how many opted to send Rover to the pound instead of cancelling their cable subscription, cutting back on fast food, etc. In other words, eliminating the expense of a pet is one of their first resorts, not the last.

Sorry, but I'm a cynic when it comes to these stories. I've seen too many animals thrown away for trivial reasons or no reason at all. People casually bring a living being into their homes, and just as casually discard it.

There are surely people who've made a heartbreaking decision and had no alternative. I would bet they are in the minority. Like I said, I'm a cynic about this.