It's Raining Cats!

At least five more cats coming from Houston and two or three from the Austin area, and an owner surrender.  I'm drowning in requests to rescue - from vet clinics to shelters to friends sharing posts on craigslist and elsewhere.  Several of these furbabies are seniors who have been with a family 10+ years!  Why would anyone dump an older cat at a shelter or just leave it at the vet?  The kids are gone and they don't want to deal with the pet?  Tired of having to be tied down with their kitty?  You wouldn't dream of abandoning your child at school or taking them to a park and driving off.  Why are these pets any different?  I am heartbroken for all of them.