On the pay later program, the animals pay most of the price with an unhealthy and uncomfortable life....hot spots, allergies, weight problems, dental problems, that nasty "doggy" smell...

In the US, we have had two close calls (that we know about) in the past two years that killed many beloved pets.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10771943/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_pet_food_recalls

I believe the quest for ever cheaper ingredients by the pet food industry is root cause of this developing trend.

IMO it is only a matter of time before one of the large pet food manufacturers' carelessness or greed leads to larger accidental mass pet exterminations.