I'm writing in response to the article in yesterday's paper about the adoption of animals from PAWS and the Pennsylvania SPCA. It outrages me to think that someone would just abandon a helpless, gentle animal because they don't have the time, patience or enough responsibility to take care of something that gives back unconditional love, no questions asked.

Being an animal owner for more than 14 years now, I understand the time, patience and energy that go into taking care of an animal. I also understand that there are vet bills, food costs and increases in rent. Owning a pet, while not the most important decision you will ever have to make, is not something that should be jumped into lightly.

I live in a townhouse with 2 other people and we just adopted a cat two days ago from the SPCA. I felt like I was under extremely close scrutiny when we were trying to save the life of a cat, and it's all because of those same people that we were being judged. I don't blame the SPCA — I blame the people who can't find enough time in their busy schedules to take care of something that they had seemed to want so badly in the first place. If you barely have enough time to eat and sleep, then owning an animal is probably not the best idea.

Be smart. If you don't have the time to take care of something, don't put it in an environment where it shouldn't be. Leave it for someone who will give it the love and attention it deserves.