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A Singles Ad for Freddie

By
Real Estate Agent

Real Estate Professionals are beginning to understand what is happening more often than we care to know.  What is that, you ask?  It is the abandoning of pets when homeowners abandon homes which ultimately end up in vacancy and foreclosure.

Some homeowners drop of their pets at animal shelters, where animal overpopulation exists, and many incoming animals are euthanized.  But still other homeowners, simply walk away from their home, and the responsibility of a pet which has been dependent on their care.

Thinking about this today, I thought perhaps those of us here, communicating through ActiveRain might consider trying to do a little something.  I realize that it may not work with all abandoned pets we encounter while showing vacant properties, but it may aid some.

For those of you, who have decided to try to temporarily act as a guardian or "foster" parent for an animal, while trying to find it a new home, perhaps we could do the following.  I have some web space on my domain, that we could post a picture with ad describing a little about the pet.  Hopefully, we could try to find a home for some of these unfortunate animals.  Or perhaps we could just post them here on ActiveRain as listings, like we do houses?.

Here's an example:

Freddie

Ladies - Are you feeling abandoned and neglected.  Is the man in your life a sports junkie, who occupies his time watching Football, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Nascar?  Here is a solution for you - Throw the bum out!

I am a purrfect single male looking for a female to share my life.  Ethnicity and age is unimportant. I'm handsome, whiskered, soft and cuddly.  My eyes are penetrating.

I'm not especially particular about your appearance.  If you've gained a few extra pounds, or haven't been to Victoria's Secret in awhile, I really don't care.  Substance and the quality of your love is far more important than superficial things.

I am certain we would enjoy sharing quiet evenings curled up together on the sofa, next to a fire, watching romantic old movies.

If I am a possible LOVE match for you, call me.

Freddie (the cat) @555-5555.  I'm much more than a number. Call me :-)

[Freddie was left behind by his previous cohabitant, who lost their home to foreclosure.]

Posted by

Myrl Jeffcoat ActiveRain Signature
  

Comments (16)

Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

awww....that really hurts to know of these predicaments... I already have 2 cats---one more then my apartment really allows or knows about---so, I can't help this one, but pray he finds a home really soon!

Nov 11, 2008 12:27 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

That's a purrrrrect idea, Myrl. I feel so sorry for these little critters and such animosity toward the ones who left them behind. I can't help it. I wish I lived out in the country somewhere so I could take in every abandoned pet. You know, I tried helping out at the SSPCA for a while, doing a newsletter for them, acting as a lisason between them and the press, doing marketing and fundraising, and as much as it is needed, I couldn't do it. Every day I had to walk by the surrender unit. Every day I had to watch pets being put to death. I could not handle it. And I can't handle it now with the amount of abandoned foreclosure pets. But we as writers can get the word out -- thanks for this post.

elizabeth weintraub sacramento real estate agent in land park

Nov 11, 2008 01:01 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Hi Myrl

Thank you drawing attention to a major issue in the country, pets in increasing numbers are being left behind by their owners.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

Nov 11, 2008 01:10 PM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

I have friends that think their pets are their children. They would protect them as passionately as I protect my offspring. How sad is this situation. That being said, allergies count me out.

Nov 11, 2008 01:17 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Mara - Coming across abandoned critters while showing property makes me feel like I've been hit with a Mack truck.

Elizabeth - I think the current situation with the abandoned animals has been among the most heartbreaking things I've dealt with in real estate dealings.  I've seen a lot in my years in this business, but this is a whole other arena for pain.

Lou - You're right.  It is a MAJOR issue in this country.

Ellie - Desperate people in desperate circumstances, don't always make good choices.  But the situation for these animals is beyond painful to know about.

Perhaps we could create just ONE MORE GROUP here on ActiveRain, and title it something like, "Foreclosure Critter Rescue" - or some better name if you folks have one?

Nov 11, 2008 02:00 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

This is so sweet what you are doing. We have written several blogs posts about the issues of pets left behind in foreclosures. All very sad.

Nov 11, 2008 05:57 PM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

That picture is precious!  These abandoned pets make me really sad, and any efforts to help any of them have my vote.  I watched a news clip the other day about families having to cut down on expenses and how that may affect their ability to feed their pets, so the problem grows and grows.

Nov 12, 2008 01:08 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Bob & Carolin - I think it is important that we keep this important issue about the abandoned pets, active in people's minds.

Ann -It's not the happiest of times for many folks!  Hopefully, we will find our economic equilibrium soon, and have more positive times to look forward to.  I've very hopeful for that!

Nov 12, 2008 09:45 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Myrl,

Thanks for this post.  I'd like to introduce you to another Rainer (and friend here in Tucson) Dana Lim.  You're kindred spirits.  She spends much of her time away from her Allstate business volunteering for the animal shelter here in Tucson.  Here's a post by Dana: Animal Shelters Filling Up

Mike in Tucson

Nov 12, 2008 09:57 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Myrl, That is so sad.  I hope Freddy finds a good home.  I can't imagine anyone abandoning a pet but obviously they do. I just recently went to our local pet shelter to take some pictures and they were full to capacity.  He told me if it makes the difference of a pet being just let loose or them taking the pet; they find the room.

Nov 13, 2008 09:41 AM
Martha Brown
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Annapolis MD 21403 - Annapolis, MD
Your Homes Around Annapolis Agent

Myrl- Being the animal lover I am the thought of a hurt or abandoned pet just shatters me. A while back I came across an adorable older cocker spaniel who had been abandoned at a listing. Needless to say I took him in and found him a wonderful new home. Fortunately I have not come across any latley but if I do....

Nov 13, 2008 01:32 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Mike - Thanks for the tip, perhaps I can make contact with Dana and we can do a little something together about this unhappy problem.

Marchel - Yes, it's very sad.  I can't imagine anyone abandoning a pet either.  In fact both of my animals (a cat and a dog), I've rescued from folks that could keep them no longer.  But at least the owners didn't abandon them at a vacant house.

Martha - It is shattering to me too.  I seem to be seeing less abandonment of domestic pets too.  But the wild critters, are a horse of another color.

Nov 13, 2008 02:04 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

I like that. I rescued a little kitty a couple of weeks ago that came to visit me at a home inspection. Very friendly, knew the house, no collar, very adoptable, so I took it to the animal shelter after the lady next door told me that it "didn't belong to anyone."

I'll often go with my husband, a Century 21 Award Realtor, to preview properties, and we have found some abandoned pets. It's distressing since we have a cat of our own and could not imagine just summarily walking away and abandoning her.

Nov 19, 2008 11:06 PM
Bobby Wallace
Vacant Land Solutions - Charleston, SC
Sell Your Vacant Land The Hassle Free Way!

Myrl - Great idea! A couple of years ago an Atlanta SPCA  ran a "racey" little classified ad that received over 15,000 calls. Maybe Freddie will be as lucky.

Dec 12, 2008 01:34 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Bobby - Freddie has found a home!  It is always such a relief to know animals have loving families.

Dec 12, 2008 02:12 PM
Tony Orefice
NorthGroup Real Estate/www.TonyORealtor.com - Concord, NC
Realtor- Cabarrus County, NC

Myrl, thanks for airing a sad but important topic.

 

Dec 12, 2008 02:28 PM