The local Phoenix newspaper, the Arizona Republic is reporting that all the pet shelters across the Phoenix Valley are crowded to overflow and pets are being turned away because of the rise in pets being dropped off at shelters by people losing their homes to foreclosure. The shelters have coined the term "foreclosure pets". There is a huge need for people who want to adopt animals to come and adopt these animals.  It is also reported that many animals are simply being left in homes that are abandoned by the owners when foreclosure happens, or being left by the side of the road.  Shelters are reporting people coming into the shelters in tears at the thought that they must abandon their beloved pets, but with the foreclosures many homeowners have to move to smaller rented apartments that will not accept animals, or they simply cannot any longer afford to feed the animals because of their financial circumstances.

If you are in the Phoenix area and have been considering getting a pet, now may be the time to go to the local shelters and check out some of these beautiful animals.

The Humane Society of the United States reports that this problem is happening all across America as well, but is is particularly difficult in areas such as Phoenix where foreclosures are higher.