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Pets Are Underreported Victims of Foreclosure

Abandoned Pets Pets seem to be an underreported side effect of foreclosures of the ongoing recession.

Most foreclosed families don't have any choice but to rent. And many landlords won't accept pets.

I have seen unfortunate pets abandoned or left behind during tenant rental evictions for years. I have discovered abandoned pets locked in a vacated apartment without food or water!

Now, with the addition of mounting foreclosures, the phenominon has become even more widespread.

Humane shelters are overrun with surplus pets, and many people are reluctant to take unwanted animals there because the pets may be euthanized if not adopted within a relatively short period of time.

Organizations like ORCA (Organization for the Respect and Care for Animals) do not euthanize - but they are chronically short of money to care for the animals they treat, and often are only able to accept distressed animals.

What can be done to alleviate the situation?

Donate money, food or time to your local animal shelter.

Make a donation to ORCA so that they can continue their mission of mercy.

Find a willing home for a pet you can't keep.

PLEASE, PLEASE, NEVER abandon a pet either inside or outside! They are living creatures who have a right to food, water and shelter!

Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buyers and sellers of homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/

Posted by Brian Schulman - Your Lancaster County, PA Real Estate Professional on 08/14/2009 07:37 PM

Comments (21)

Pets Are Underreported Victims of Foreclosure in the ActiveRain Channel

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Originally posted at: Lancaster County PA Realty Check: Pets Are Underreported Victims of Foreclosure

Post is included in group: Silent Majority
Post is included in group: Pennsylvania Professionals
Post is included in group: Active Rain Cat Lovers
Post is included in group: Active Rain Animal Rescue

21 Comments on Pets Are Underreported Victims of Foreclosure

AUG

THANK YOU FOR THIS POST BRIAN! People can also look into Breed Specific Rescue for re-homing their pets. I, for one, am a volunteer of IGCA (Italian Greyhound Club of America) and there are many many breed specific rescues with homes that are willing to bring a pet in and socialize it and help find THE PERFECT MATCH for pet and human!

Renee, thanks for you excellent suggestion!

Brian, this is just heartbreaking. In my specific area there are not many foreclosures, so I never thought about this issue before. Thank you for shedding the light.

AUG

Mary, Lancaster County PA has not been hit as hard as some other areas of the country. Still, there are many foreclosures, and people in distress situations who do not consider the welfare of their pets as they leave.

Brian this is so sad. Although the owners could seek assistance I suppose they are so overwhelmed with issues such as where to find food and shelter. Unfortunately the animals is way down on the list. Hopefully awareness will lead to a better outcome.

Jennifer, pets don't have a voice, so we must speak up for them. It's unfortunate that some owners make bad choices when it comes to leaving their pets behind.

AUG

Hello Brian,

Thank you for your post and spreading the word about pets "also" being victims of the foreclosure crisis. It's so sad....animals are being found in vacant homes everywhere across the country. Most are found dead or dying when they are finally discovered. The suffering that these animals go through is heartbreaking. I just can't understand how people can leave their pets behind like trash and have no concern for their welfare. Thank you for speaking up.

Rita

AUG

Rita, I can't understand either, how people could be co cruel as to leave an animal locked up to die in a vacant house. It's only a little less cruel to abandon them outdoors to fend for themselves.

AUG

Many pet shelters also need cloth materials for the animals, so I always take my unwanted bath towels, hand towels, and wash rags to the animal shelters.

Russell, thanks for a valuable suggestion! I'll check with my own humane shelter to see whether they need bedding materials.

AUG

Thanks for the post Brian. This is so important. I have reblogged it too.

Debra, thanks for supporting this important message, and thanks for the reblog!

AUG

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Brian:

I can't believe you and I haven't crossed paths before...

I'm a huge advocate and this is an important message.

You may want to join our group Active Rain Animal Rescue and post this there.

Hi Brian, it's so true. Not only are pets abandoned in homes but also put out into the wild where they are either starve or fall prey to wild animals. Some animals can make it in the wild which is not a good thing when they happen to be exotics such as certain snakes or fish species that will prey on domestic wildlife or even worse, become a danger to people.

Toula, I will check out the group Active Rain Animal Rescue, and post there.

Sylvia, I recently read a story where an 18-foot Burmese python had killed a little girl. This was not the only case of these huge exotic pythons escaping or being let go in the wild because they had become unmanageable.

Brian, thank you for this heartfelt blog post. Many forget about how pets are victimized but the foreclosure crisis, too and it is up to all of us to do our part to keep them safe.

Debra, thanks for your comments. The forecclosure environment has far-reaching effects which aren't always obvious.

Brian, I've seen the explosion of unwanted pets too. I try to support shelters that do not euthanize. some of the most pitiful are the pets who are older. they find themselves alone, scared and totally disillusioned. Dogs and cats have feelings. They are not lives to be considered disposable.

My latest dog was dumped by his owner after 7 years. He is a little on the excitable side but that is the worst thing about him. He is lovable, devoted and scared to death when I get out of his sight.

Bonnie, older pets make some of the best companions. Not everyone wants the endless energy and mischief of the cute puppies and kittens.

You're absolutely right - dogs and cats have emotions and feelings just like we do. They're not disposable, even though some inconsiderate humans treat them as though they were. They can't speak for themselves, so we must speak for them. Thanks for your contribution to this post.

SEP

It is a terrible problem and I hope this message gets out to a lot of people and they will try to find homes for their pets... or at least a safe place for them until the pets can find a new home.

Joan, I agree with your sentiments. I hope that some people in distress situations will change their minds about abandoning pets, and at least try to find a satisfactory alternate home for them.

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