Animals are not disposable

Volunteering at the humane society is both heartwearming and heartbreaking. When I see all of the cats in the cages and hear their precious meows, or walk by the dogs peering out of their kennels with sad expressions, it breaks my heart.

But it's also heartwarming to interact with potential adopters and watch a cat or dog leave the shelter with someone all ready to spoil it in a new forever home.

There's a saying in the animal sheltering world that in the end, everyone wishes shelters and rescue organizations would have to go "out of business" because there would be no more homeless animals. Given the number of cats and dogs people dump on the street and bring to shelters each year across the country, it doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon.

The ONE thing I will never understand is how some people consider pets disposable; that they can just get rid of them like a lamp or old piece of furniture. Sometimes when I'm at the humane society I'll see a cat in a carrier recently given up by its owner. Some don't feel like dealing with the animal when they move; others just don't want to care for it anymore. At least those people bring the animal in - many of the animals were dumped on the street - some even left behind in empty apartments!

Granted, there are extenuating circumstances that justify having to give up a pet, but I just wish people would understand that cats and dogs are defenseless - they depend on humans to care for them, and in return they provide amazing companionship. To discard them like trash is cruel and dispicable.

If there is a point to this post, it is that animals are not objects - people should only adopt a pet if they can make the commitment to care for and love it. The love they provide in return is incredible.

Photo: Patches, a cat up for adoption at the Washington Humane Society - she was adopted! :)