This is common in college towns, too. Every spring, when the kiddies rush home to mom & dad, many leave pets (esp. cats) behind... though usually they're not left locked indoors. It's still mind-boggling to me that anyone would do such a thing.

A couple of years ago the trend was to buy baby chicks/ducks from the local Rural King and have a pet duck until the novelty wore off and inconvenience set it. You can imagine what happens to a domesticated duck (or the ones who lived long enough to be turned out, anyway).

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)