The Thousands

If the doggie in the window that Bob Merill immortalised in 1952 looked anything like this, we wouldn’t be politely inquiring ‘how much?’. Slamming our credit card down on the Pet Paradise counter, it would be a brazen brand of "I want him…NOW".

Unfortunately, while you may have a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase of this amazingly useful artefact, if the same happens with your new pet, well, the pet store owner ain’t gonna show you no puppy love.**You know the story. Every year thousands of puppies and kittens are plucked from pet shop windows on impulse and, as soon as it becomes clear that they require time and effort, are just as quickly abandoned. A lot of the time they’re put down because there just isn’t room for them at the rescue shelters.

Enter the RSPCA foster care initiative. Basically, you let a foster pet stay in your home until a space at the shelter opens up. You provide food and board and the organisation covers vet fees and other associated costs. It’s giving a pet another chance at life without having to commit long term. Win/win!