Pet owners caught up in a recession economy are making the decision to leave their pets with shelters or alone in empty, foreclosed homes, where unless rescued by animal control officers, they may starve to death.
Abandoned Pets
Americans who are facing foreclosure are abandoning their their homes and pets. While this may seem like a selfish act, these are people who are already in deep financial trouble and unable to figure out how they can continue to feed and take care of the animals. They are among the million families who are facing or have already faced foreclosure, 60% of whom own pets. It is affecting such things as what to do about their children's schooling, or keeping their marriages intact. Dealing with what to do with a pet may seem like the last straw in their trail of tears.
Animal Shelters Alternative
In normal times, leaving a pet at an animal shelter may seem like a good alternative to abandoning the animal. But, according to Christie Keith, "Foreclosure Pets in the Crossfire: How Shelter Philosophies Affect Their lives" (SF Gate 9/4/08), in some cases, instead of sympathy and understanding, they are met with lectures about their "irresponsibility." They are then told that their pets will be put down.
Since the 1970s the sheltering philosophy has been one that lays blame, including the large number of animals being killed in shelters, at the feet of irresponsible pet owners. The response has been to try to change pet owners behavior by requiring mandatory spray/neuter legislation, strict limit and licensing laws, restrictions or outright bans on breeding, and compulsory microchipping.
Foreclosure Affect on Pets
An Associated Press report in February 2008 by Evelyn Nieves said that many homeowners had tried to re-home their pets and had been turned down by animal-rescue groups. According to Betsy Saul, president of PetFinder.com, one of the largest national organizations dedicated to helping shelters and rescue groups find new homes for pets, owners don't come to the shelter until they have passed a point of no return. Already facing foreclosure on their homes, these people have just about given up everything and as a last resort, abandon their pets because they don't know what else to do.
Progressive Animals Shelter Programs
A new wave of progressive shelter programs is beginning to emerge. Nationals organizations such as Maddie's Fund and the No-Kill Advocacy Center, headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, believe in a non-punitive approach, proactively working to head off problems rather than just react to them. They offer those facing foreclosure practical assistance and compassion.
The Nevada Humane Society, located in Reno, is dealing with a city hit hard by the housing crisis. They work with the local press and real-estate agents to make sure pet owners facing foreclosure are aware of the resources available to them. They offer a free animal help desk, a pet food bank, and have a list of 500 or more foster homes.
Proactive Pet Shelter Programs
In Florida, property manager Cheryl Lang, has created No Paws Left Behind to educate real estate professionals about the problem, and get help to pet owners who need it. Lang realized that people who were abandoning their pets were not uncaring and irresponsible. She found that most of them had never faced foreclosure or any kind of financial disaster before and had no idea what to do or what was going to happen to them, much less than what to do with a pet. Anyone needing assistance can go to their website, http://nopawsleftbehind.org for a searchable zipcode locator for shelters and rescue groups. It will also indicate whether it has a no-kill or not policy.
Resources for Foreclosed Pets
Before abandoning a pet because of a home foreclosure, these organizations can provide assistance:
- The American Human Society, available at its website or by call (703) 836-7387;
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary can by reached by phone at (435) 644-2001;
Rather than leave an animal behind in an abandoned house, it is better to bring your pet to an animal control agency. However, there are some progressive programs that should be contacted as a first resort.
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