Here is the sixth installment of a mini-series about the new California laws for 2009 affecting Realtors® with licenses in California.

Abandoned pets at foreclosed properties is a huge problem in California.  People who cannot afford to make their house payments and are having financial difficulty are frequently more worried about buying food for their families than the household pet.  Unfortunately, the victims are the pets who depend on humans for care and feeding.  In my opinion, we have a moral duty to make sure that the abandoned pets are cared for and calling the animal control officers or a local shelter is the least we can do.  The California legislators have enacted a law to ensure that happens.

The new law states that Landlords and REO Lenders must take charge of abandoned animals.  Effective January 1, 2009, any person or private entity with whom a live animal has been "involuntarily deposited" must take charge of it, if able to do so, and immediately notify animal control officials to retrieve the animal. An "involuntary deposit" includes the abandonment of a live animal on a property that has been vacated upon, or immediately preceding, the termination of a lease or foreclosure of the property. The animal control officers who respond can secure a lien to recover the rescue cost, but this law imposes no other liability upon a depositary who complies with these rules. Assembly Bill 2949.

Interested in the other new California laws enacted for 2009?  Click here for the first, second, third, fourth & fifth installments of the mini-series.

Copyright © 2008 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. "New 2009 Laws Affecting California Realtors® - Abandoned Animals at REO Properties".  Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.