THE recent rains led scores of Bahamians to abandon their pets to the Bahamas Humane Society - simply because they couldn't be bothered to take care of a wet animal.

As a result, the BHS shelter is once again inundated with dogs in desperate need of a loving home.

A local activist unconnected with the BHS said: "Once again the Humane Society is faced with so many, too many, dogs - this time beautiful adult dogs, many of whom were family pets discarded because of the rain and the intolerance of people.

"The dog's fur gets wet and they don't like the smell of 'wet dog', or the dog shakes - I guess they never heard of a towel."

The activist said she wishes people understood how "sad and miserable" dogs are after they are abandoned.

"The dog's only crime was to be allowed to get wet and therefore offend the delicate sensibilities of the owner," she said.

Admitting that the shelter is full to capacity, BHS officials nevertheless said they were looking on the bright side.

One said: "At least people are not just driving to the bush and dumping their dog out. At least they come to us and we can care for them, feed them and try, beg, borrow to find them a home.

"Also, we find that people are trusting us more to do the right thing than ever before, so more found dogs are being brought to us. However, this brings in the overcrowding drama to a head."

According to the BHS, the shelter is not usually so full, as overcrowding most often occurs as a result of unusual circumstances like hurricanes.

In order to encourage caring members of the public to adopt a new pet, the BHS is offering a discounted price of $20 on any dog over one year old.

"The obvious advantages to adopting an adult dog is that you do not go through that difficult puppy stage that some people, especially seniors, find tiring.

"Older dogs are content to just sit and watch TV or count the clouds going by," said a BHS spokesperson.

Anyone interested in adopting a dog should visit the Bahamas Humane Society shelter in Chippingham.