"What are their chances on their own? Pets, I mean."

I work with a local pet rescue. Pets left behind tend to have short lifespans. The usual owner leaves the dog or cat outdoors, and the dog is often chained or trapped in a chainlink kennel.

If they do happen to survive, the chances are excellent that they become strays. Most pets have no form of ID, no collar tag, no microchip. Many of them aren't used to catching their own food, although many cats can adapt and become semi-feral. Dogs that try to catch their own meal are often shot, or at least maimed until they die, as most states allow immediate shooting of any dog seen chasing wildlife or livestock. Pets that become strays usually fall victim to starvation, predators, more vicious dogs, & cars.

Many/most of the pets in America were acquired impulsively, fed the cheapest junk grain food the owner can find, are not spayed or neutered, and are basically treated like stuffed animals that have been discarded due to lack of continuing interest.

People who think they can leave their pets behind just to find them waiting for them on the doorstep wagging their tails when the family returns home have been watching WAY too much television.

Sue