So with you Maven, Inny, Christina ...

It is similar to the 'Christmas Rush' - in NZ it's a big thing because it's summer and there are lots of kiddies wanting kittens and puppies as presents, then after a few days / weeks the novelty wears off and it's time for the family trip away - so they either leave them at home alone to hopefully run away while they're gone, or (even worse) they will do stuff like throw them out of the car once they've left home.

Grrrrr