Special offer

Helping Clients Re-Home Pets

By
Real Estate Agent with Las Cruces Homes and Land

Over the last week, on my intraweb email, there have been quite a few realtors looking to help their clients rehome pets.  I can't imagine having to do that.  My girl, Belle, is everything to me.  Personally, I'd live in my car before giving her up.

That's my girl!

 

However, I've seen heart-breaking stories on why people have to give up their furry friends.  Home foreclosed on, new rental place won't allow pets and no one in their circle can adopt or foster.  What can you do to help out without having to utter those words:  "I guess you'll have to take them to the shelter."

These days there are a ton of options and, thanks to the net, all it takes is a quick Google search to find help.  Local animal lovers normally have a network set up for helping rehome animals either locally or attaching the animal to a transport to another town.  There are also breed specific rescues that can help point you in the right direction if they can't take the pet themselves.  Some rescuers will take on the role of a foster for a while until a person is set up in a place and are able to take the pet back.  There is an organization called "Foreclosure Pets" that was created to help.

Take a moment, do a google search in your local area and create a reference list that you can keep handy in case you happen to run across this situation.  It won't take that long to do and, in the end, you're helping someone deal with a very emotional and trying time.

Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Emmary the foreclosed pets was a genius idea. I'll post about it on one of my other blogs.  I don't own any pets but this is such a touching story, I've got to share it.

Aug 29, 2010 07:07 AM
Emmary Simpson
Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM
Serving Las Cruces, NM

Thanks Charita.  I've seen rescue videos of animals left behind in foreclosures and they are tough to watch.  I just hope more folks spread the word and jump in to help folks in this situation.

Aug 29, 2010 07:49 AM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Em - thanks for posting this.  There is so much concern about how foreclosure affects people and communities, I hadn't even thought about how pets can be affected too.  Great find!

Aug 29, 2010 02:10 PM
Virginia OnullConnor
Realtor®, Photographer, Artist - Temecula, CA
Realtor - Temecula, Anza, SoCal

Good post! I can't imagine living without my dogs, but people are forced into this situation all the time. If we as Raltors can help them through the added crisis of losing their pets as well as their homes, we will be doing a service to all involved.

 

 

Aug 29, 2010 03:32 PM
Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Emmary. I adopted two dogs due to extenuating circumstances. This may help someone's pet. Awesome post.

Aug 29, 2010 03:37 PM
Emmary Simpson
Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM
Serving Las Cruces, NM

Kent - you are welcome!  You know how near and dear to my heart rescue is.  I wanted to put this out there to spread the word a bit.

Virginia - I can't imagine living without my girl, either!  Sometimes, it's not about the bottom dollar - it's about showing just a little heart, too :) 

Lana - Thank You for adopting!  I'll be they're a wonderful addition to your family!

Aug 29, 2010 03:42 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

For a small island we have many rescue centers and programs. Another reminder here to not forget our furry friends :)

Aug 29, 2010 03:57 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Emmary -- As a huge dog lover with 2 dogs, I would be devastated if I were to have to give up my two labrador retrievers.  Heartbreaking.

Aug 29, 2010 04:01 PM
Emmary Simpson
Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM
Serving Las Cruces, NM

Hi Celeste - I've heard that the rescues in Hawaii are quite good.  So glad to hear it!

Chris - it's tough to think about having give up our furry family members.  I can't imagine what pain it must be.

Aug 29, 2010 05:03 PM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

This is an area that needs more attention. I'm an animal lover, and have recently rescued two kittens from an REO. When I go into a foreclosed home and see the empty pet food bags...I just have to wonder what happened to the animal.

Aug 29, 2010 05:07 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Emmary, thanks for posting this information. Glad to hear about other options than an animal shelter. Thanks.

Aug 30, 2010 02:00 AM
SarahGray Lamm
Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC 919-819-8199 - Chapel Hill, NC
Realtor - 100K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience

Emmary, as an active member of the animal rescue community I salute you for recognizing a hard reality of our times and for encouraging folks to consider other options besides abandonment!

Aug 30, 2010 04:44 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

May I please add,

Spay or Neuter Your Pets

Aug 30, 2010 05:03 AM
Emmary Simpson
Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM
Serving Las Cruces, NM

Debbie - I watched a rescue video many moons ago about this topic.  One house was completely trashed by 2 dogs - cabinets had been gnawed on, carpet ripped up - you name it.  Those two were lucky but I have to wonder how many haven't been?

Michael - there are so many resources out there.  Education on this seems to be the key.

Sarah - thank you.  This post has gotten a bit of attention and I think I might need to do a follow up blog on this!

Fred - YES YOU MAY!!! :)

Aug 30, 2010 06:38 AM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

That has to be such a heartbreaking situation when you know that you cant bring your pet with you.  Its a great resource to have the ability to find people who can help you when you are in such a situation.

Aug 30, 2010 08:25 AM
Emmary Simpson
Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM
Serving Las Cruces, NM

Hi Eileen - resources are everywhere.  We just need to find them or meet folks who know where to turn.  Thanks for coming by!

Aug 30, 2010 08:54 AM
Carolyn Kolba
Serving Mentor, and all of Lake County, Ohio - Mentor, OH
Keller Williams Realty- Mentor, Ohio

Emmary, what an incredible need that re-homing pets is filling.  These poor, incredibly-faithful doggies and kitties have been with us, or their "owners" for sometimes years and years, and it can be such a heart-breaking thing to have to do... to not be able to care for your "babies" any longer.  What a great thing to be doing.  Bless your heart !

Aug 30, 2010 11:24 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

I am getting a bunch of comments of my reblog that you also may want to view! Anything dog works for me!

Aug 30, 2010 11:30 AM
Pam Turner, REALTOR®, e-PRO®, SFR
Century 21 Belk Realtors Dalton GA - Dalton, GA

I'm going to reblog as well - but for me giving up my cat is NOT an option!!!

Aug 30, 2010 12:52 PM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Thanks for the tips today, I've bookmarked it.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Aug 30, 2010 02:59 PM