Dropping off some cats at our vet for spaying last week, I overheard a heartbreaking story about a three-year-old dog. While I normally write about cats, this time the information is multi-species relevant.

A local family in dire financial straits recently had to move from their house to a condo and could not take their pet, a mixed breed, medium-sized dog with them. They tried to find a home for her for two weeks, and then gave up. At last, a veterinarian in Lompoc was found to put the poor thing down.

That is just one story. People walking their dogs have reported dead pets left in dry river beds, sometimes in plastic bags. The ones still alive are scavenging for food, shelter and a kind hand to pet them.

A couple touring a prospective apartment found an abandoned starving dog left behind.

Puppies and kittens are often found in boxes in front of stores or left on roadsides. There was even one box of kittens found in the middle of an intersection to be run over! A better solution would have been to spay the mothers and avoid these litters in the first place.

Not just dogs and cats, but many species of animals are being dumped in the country. These pets, especially the young ones, are not equipped to survive. Having only known shelter and meals provided to them by humans, their survival skills are not up to the task and they starve or become prey themselves.

While my heart goes out to those in financial distress, it is sad to think that anyone would do this to a family pet. To abandon these animals is incredibly cruel.

It’s true that today many of the shelters are full and some are euthanizing. If you are in need of relocating a pet, there are “no kill” organizations to be found that are willing to take the unwanted and find new homes for them. However, it can be a struggle to find one that isn’t full right now.

Try a Pet Finder listing on the internet. To find a local rescue organization, do a web search for “animal rescue (your city)” and see all the options that come up. If you can’t find one, contact the SPCA. If you come across abandoned or hurt animals, please call your local animal control.

Life is special and all animals deserve a chance to live it.