General

news.bbc.co.uk | ast updated at 12:16 GMT, Sunday, 4 January 2009

Staff at an animal rescue centre near Bristol say they are struggling to house pets abandoned by owners who can no longer afford to keep them.

Holly Hedge Sanctuary in Barrow Gurney is taking on more unwanted animals, while fewer people are offering to adopt because of the economic downturn.

Rachael Mills, from the centre, said large dogs were a particular problem.

"People are very worried about taking on the extra financial burden in these difficult times," she said.

Abigail Ramirez | Issue date: 12/9/08 | http://media.www.dailylobo.com/
In light of the economic crisis, many pet owners are giving up their furry friends because they can no longer afford to take care of them.

The number of pets being surrendered has increased by 45 percent compared to last year, said Peggy Wiggle, executive director of Animal Humane Association of New Mexico.

And the association is seeing a decrease in the number of adoptions, Wiggle said.

Last Updated: Nov 20, 2008 09:50 AM |

by ABC-7 Reporter/Meteorologist Andrew Chung

EL PASO, Texas -- Flames nearly destroyed a house in Northeast El Paso Thursday morning. However, this tragedy had a silver lining.

Edwin Collazo, a Fort Bliss soldier, is the home's tenant.

"Basically I was at work but my wife called me and she said the house was on fire," Collazo said.

Fire officials said an extension cord used for a portable heater started the blaze.

http://www.dailypilot.com/

Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials met with regional public service agencies and animal control specialists throughout Southern California Thursday to discuss pet travel safety, a growing concern in Orange County.

According to the animal safety advocacy group Bark Buckle UP, first-responders to car accidents have seen a three-fold increase in incidents where an animal is involved.

CLAIRE LOW | 17/11/2008 12:19:00 PM
Canberra dog rescue and foster charities are facing a busy lead-up to Christmas with some owners using the economic crisis as an excuse to dump their pets, according to two organisations.

ACT Rescue and Foster and Canberra Pooch Rescue are among those dealing with an influx of dogs.

Canberra Pooch Rescue foster carer Maree Sheahan said she saw a man surrendering his dog, saying he was unable to afford to feed it.

''I said, 'Do you drink and smoke?' And he just turned away from me. He wouldn't look at me after that,'' she said.

AS the credit crunch bites, North Devon's pets are now feeling the pinch.

Animal aid organisations in the region are reporting a huge rise in pets of all kinds losing their homes as owners can no longer afford to care for them.

They are facing a double edged sword: care facilities now bursting at the seams as more and more animals come in and fewer people are offering new homes as they think hard about the cost of another pet.

And this is all adding hugely to the costs of the charities themselves at a time when fund raising is also becoming more difficult.

By P. Michael Conn| November 12, 2008 | http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-conn12-2008nov12,...
Words convey more than concepts; they stir up our feelings and direct our thoughts. Racial and religious epithets have started riots, and calling the police officer who pulls your speeding car over "Sir" is a smart way for you to start the conversation.

By Mary Clarke | 06 Nov 2008 | http://www.gleebirmingham.com/

Pets at Home has introduced a ready meal for dogs in response to customer demand for convenience foods for pets. The retailer said dogs increasingly travel with owners on days out, holidays and camping trips and said there was a need for food that could be provided on the go.

By Catherine Elsworth in Denver | Last Updated: 7:00PM GMT 05 Nov 2008 | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

The new First Pet will be an as yet unnamed puppy, according to the Illinois senator's victory speech in which he thanked his family for their support and told daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven: "I love you more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

The girls, who will be the youngest residents of the White House since Amy Carter moved in aged nine in 1977, beamed at the news.

15:25 GMT, Wednesday, 5 November 2008 | http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Hundreds of exotic animals were found by police who raided two adjoining houses in Oldham.

Drugs, jewellery, and a machete were also found at the properties on Dowry Street, Fitton Hill, on Tuesday.

Officers found swarms of black beetles before removing "hundreds" of animals including four snakes, fourteen Gecko lizards, snapping turtles and chickens.

Sgt Rob Howarth, from Greater Manchester Police, said the house was "like a zoo".