With Great Frustration, Banging A Worn-Out Drum, Animal Shelter Schools On Pet Abandonment

BRANFORD, CT — The day before, a dog was left in a parking lot. The next rooster was left to fend for itself. Then there was the English bulldog-boxer. Thursday, it was kittens; one was left behind the former Regal theater, then three kittens were found dumped at a school. On any given day, shelter staff are rescuing animals that have been thrown away.

In a Facebook post, Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter did not tamp down its anger, frustration.

"We really need the state to start evaluating what is happening in our industry and why it is happening," the post begins. Then a list of "reasons why it’s important:"

1. Animal abandonment is obviously cruel and inhumane to the animals

2. Animal abandonment is a public safety issue. People try to avoid hitting roaming animals with their vehicles and could be hurt themselves.

3. Another public safety issue is that abandoned animals have no vaccine or medical history, so people trying to help these roaming animals could be exposed to diseases.

4. Abandoned animals can become a nuisance by doing things like eating from people’s garbage cans, due to them just trying to survive

5. Most abandoned animals are not spayed or neutered, thereby creating yet another issue if they end up impregnated and more unwanted animals end up in communities. Abandoned animals tend to have medical needs or illnesses, creating financial burdens on communities

"People who are purchasing or obtaining these animals need to take personal responsibility," the post reads. "These animals are safe under our care now; however, we are full!"