It's true that a lot of people take on pets without thinking through the responsibility that keeping them entails, but it's also true that sometimes people are put in situations where it is difficult for them to keep the pet: eg a bereavement, a divorce, illness or simply being unable to cope with a child's severe allergy or an incontinent pet.

Of course it is upsetting but I think if people feel they will be judged if they leave their pet at a shelter they may be more inclined to keep it but neglect it or even worse simply dump it.

I adore my two cats but I remember last year, following a major problem in our home/family life, a lot of otherwise very caring people advised me to give Sooty and Splodge away as they were "just something else to worry about".

I have to say though that I am very glad I ignored those well-meaning but misguided people and kept my two babies!

But just remember, often people who have to give their pets away do so only because they see no alternative.