I understand what you're saying. However I can understand the outrage because, even though he was in a carrier, apparently it was without food or water.

What if no one had taken him? What if everyone on that day had decided that "it's not my problem"? Bah, I cannot understand taking a beloved pet and simply abandoning it. There is no reason good enough for that. Especially since NYC has one of the BEST and most well-publicized ASPCA shelters in the world.

I guess I'm too judgmental. I cannot imagine abandoning an animal.