Response: understanding animal neglect

I know that there is just no explanation for people who are cruel to their animals, but over the course of having many guinea pigs I actually have come to better understand neglect. I have over five guinea pigs that each demand a full water supply, plenty of food including garden vegetables a few times a day on top of their normal dry food, changed cages one to two times a week, baths when they get dirty from running outside, nail clippings every week or so, and protection from mites and other harmful creatures, but most important of all, lots of love and care for each pig. I have to admit I have been lacking in this department because well, I have a life. Even though they require a lot of time and energy I still make the time because I love each and every one of them. However some people may just not have the time at all to be good animal parents. I believe the first deprivation is love and care but it slowly leads to things like having food and water not supplied. I'd like to believe people don’t mistreat their animals for the heck of it but do because of a lack of time, energy, money, or care. So through my personal experience with multiple animals I really have been shown why neglect sometimes happens.