It’s hard for any animal lover to understand what could make a person abandon their pet to live a lonely life on the street, where it faces many dangers, such as being hit by a car, attacked by other animals, or succumbing to extreme temperatures.
But it’s becoming a stark reality across the country, with an estimated 10,000 dogs (and many cats) without homes at any given time.
Charity predicts rise in homeless pets
The Dogs Trust has found that some people have given up their pets to animal shelters or even put them to sleep because they can’t afford to keep them.
The dog charity warns that the coronavirus pandemic could make as many as 40,000 dogs homeless in the UK.
The year after the 2008 financial crash, the number of abandoned dogs increased by over 25%.
Man comforts abandoned dog
Dog owners who give up their pets are being urged to hand the animal over to a rescue shelter rather than just dumping it on the street, like this dog.
While it’s not known what happened to the dog the man shook paws with it in the video clip, we can just hope that they eventually found a loving home.