Just read this and thought it would be an interesting bit to add to this topic. I got this from my Yahoo Daily Dog Tips.

Pets' Number One Killer

The biggest killer of cats and dogs today isn't some deadly disease. The worst threat to our pets is human indifference.
Each year, animal shelters are forced to put to sleep about twelve million cats, dogs and other pets in the United States. To relieve pet overpopulation, pet lending libraries are more common than ever. They allow potential owners to try a pet on a trial basis. Some shelters take potential adoptees to zoos where people who care about animals already hang out.
Other unique programs include spay shuttles and adoption vans where shelters reach out to communities. Don't contribute to the problem: spay or neuter your pet early.

I had never heard of a "pet lending library". I have to worry about the poor pets going from home to home. It has to leave the poor animal thinking that he'll never belong, even if he does find a permanent home. On the other hand, it does make people realize exactly what goes into caring for a pet and determining if a particular pet or breed is right for them.