| 14 weeks 4 days 57 min ago Pet owners struggle in tight economy
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(Amy Sinclair, NECN: Maine) - Animal shelters in Maine are reporting many tearful goodbyes as owners surrender pets they can no longer afford to keep.
NECN's Amy Sinclair has more.
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Taking home a shelter pet is a heartwarming experience, both for families and their new furry friends. But this spring, shelters in Maine, say they are seeing more heartwrenching moments as owners surrender, or worse, dump their pets.
Animal control officer Cliff Daigle says, for many families in his coverage area, letting the family cat or dog go is a matter of economics.
Karen: "Just about every week we get a homeless pet. Our goal is to reunite them and get them back on their feet."
They say they do it for the animals, as much as the owners. Shelter workers say desperate pet owners shouldn't be afraid to ask for help.
Cliff delivers donated pet supplies to families in Bowdoin and Bowdoinham several days a week - enough to tide some families over.
Of course, shelter animals are always the best value because they go home spayed or neutered and healthy, but it's important to consider whether you have the disposable income to cover food, vet visits and medicine.
Shelter staff hope people do the math responsibly and still say yes to adoption. In tough times, an animal's love can be a priceless gift.
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