I AM extremely concerned that the main victims of the so-called "credit crunch" have been, and will be, animals.

There are already too many cases of people abandoning and neglecting the animals they should be caring for. They are an important part of your family and deserve and have a right to a safe and loving home. If that is totally impossible, then give them to a good and caring shelter or sanctuary.

Also people must not put principles aside in these difficult times. As consumers we must still put ethics first as far as animal welfare and the environment are concerned.

We have the power to change things for the better so we need to still support companies who do not use and abuse animals to test their products; household, cosmetics etc and care for the planet.

If you still eat animals, birds and fish, always make sure that welfare is the top priority with free range and organic on the package labels.

We can end the cruelty of factory farming, intensive farming and live exports this way, also with free range eggs and organic milk.

Better for the animals, the planet's sustainability and our health.

It is easy to live cruelty-free.

L. Birch,

Buxton Road,

Chaddesden.