SPCA

Pictures of oil-soaked birds and sea creatures are the public image of the BP oil spill. But they aren't the only animals affected: The economic catastrophe in the Gulf Coast region has forced people to surrender dogs and cats in droves because they can no longer afford to care for them.

When you think about getting a pet, the number one consideration is probably time. Do you have the energy to walk a dog several times a day? Do you have someone in your neighborhood who can feed the cats while you're traveling? Usually, if a person can handle the time commitment of pet ownership,...