I hope nobody takes this the wrong way, but one of the reasons I tend to give to animal charities instead of people (I give to both when my stretched budget allows, but admit more goes to the animals) is becuase in alot of cases - I KNOW NOT ALL - the human's problems are brought on by themselves. I help homeless people in whatever small ways I can (food drives, unused clothing, next weekend I'm helping to paint the local emergency charity's new building) but as I'm doing it, it's always in the back of my mind that alot - NOT ALL I KNOW - of these people are homeless because of their choice to indulge in drugs, alcohol, crime, etc. I'm not being judgemental - none of us are perfect - but that thought is still there. I know there are other causes of homelessness - illness, forced unemployment, spousal abuse or abandonment, but if you work in homeless ministry, you know that the major reasons are crime, alcohol and drug abuse.

However, I have never heard of a cat getting kicked out because it couldn't pay the rent because the money was all going to catnip. I have never heard of a dog's wife and kids living on the street because he's locked up for burglary. I have yet to see a ferret passed out on the sidewalk with an empty liquor bottle in his paw.

We domesticated these animals, who are sinless, and took away their natural population growth limits, yet did not adequately take steps to impose artificial limits - neutering and spaying. Now they are paying for our sins of selfishness, procrastination, and just plain meanness in alot of cases. The animals need more help because collectively they are more helpless. Furthermore, they can't very well get jobs and start running their own homeless shelters. They can't get driver's licenses and start van pools to get everyone to the vet for shots and spays and neuters.

Anyway, I just realized I'm way off topic, so I'll get off my soapbox now.