Special offer

Home Foreclosures increase and Family Pets Left In The Cold

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with eXp Realty 1005281

I may sound like a broken record, but families giving up their pets due to home loss is increasing at ALARMING numbers.  I can only imagine the strain of having to move your family and find a pet friendly rental.  As a "mother" of Three dogs (Yorkie, Doberman and Lab) and One Cat..trust me I KNOW!

If you are headed towards a situation like this.PLEASE take these few simple steps that will convince a potential Land Lord to accept your family and Your Family Pets.  Landlords that are "on the fence" can be put at ease and say YES to PETS if you provide these few items.

While I CANNOT adopt anymore animals, I am willing to do everything I can to help pets stay with their family..call or email me if you need help

If you giving up your family pet, you may email me their picture and information and I will be happy to post them as needing a new home.  You never know who might be looking for a pet like yours and you can avoid the heartache of bringing them to the already over crowded shelters.

There are even some people who may care for your pet for 6 months until you can find suitable housing.

ANYTHING is worth a Try and as a Animal Loving Realtor, it is my duty to help. 

WHATEVER YOU DO...DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS IN THE HOME ONCE YOU VACATE!

There is HELP..Just ASK

Finding an apartment that will accept your pet often depends on your ability to market yourself as a responsible pet owner. Here are some suggestions on how to put your and your pet's best paw forward.

  • Write a pet resume. Include information about the age of your pet, whether you spayed or neutered, personal hygiene and behavioral (training background, character traits)description of your pet and about you as a pet owner. Be sure to include your veterinarian's name and phone number along with other personal references.
  • Ask for a letter of recommendation from your veterinarian, former landlords, and neighbors to document that you are a responsible pet owner. 
  • If your dog has attended training classes - class certifications or proof of attendance may be beneficial.
  • Documentation that your pet is spayed/neutered, vaccinated against rabies, and up to date on veterinary care.
  • Offer to let your prospective landlord meet your pet and see your current apartment.
  • Offer to pay a reasonable pet-damage deposit or secure liability insurance to cover the cost of any pet-related damage.
  • Offer to accept a short term lease where your landlord can see if you and your pet are acceptable as long term tenants. Make sure you get in writing the terms of the short term lease and advance notification time requirements.
  • Offer to negotiate an addendum to the lease that indicates what the landlord expects of you and your animal.
  • Market yourself - pet owners are more likely to stay put since pet friendly housing is difficult to find. Let prospective landlords know that you understand their concerns and agree that living with a pet is not a right but a privilege that you take very seriously.

Posted by

Tara Stone, Realtor, e-Pro

Country Estates and Equestrian Property Specialist

Certified REO and BPO Specialist

Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Tara, this is an excellent solution to a definite problem that consistently has been an issue with these foreclosures. I thank you for writing this and giving a viable solution for pet owners finding themselves in the position of giving up their pets.

Dec 24, 2008 02:52 AM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Tara:

Keep up the fantastic work.  If you need help, let me know.  I run a rescue here in NJ and am on Petfinder.com

Toula Rosebrock Logo

Dec 24, 2008 02:57 AM
Colorado Blog by TopRock
TopRock Internet, LLC - Thornton, CO

This is an important issue, keep up the good work!

Dec 24, 2008 03:14 AM
Nancy Birge
Coldwell Banker - Old Lyme, CT
Waterfront Specialist

Tara...Just a moment to thank-you for caring.... your words ring so true and the sadness that these pets face is beyond anything we will ever understand... My Teddy Bear came to me from Labs for rescue, he is a Katrina dog that was near death......now he lives on the beach with his new loving family and he is so happy and loved. Any one that walks away from they pet makes me angry... there is always help out there and your site is paying it forward. Merry Chistmas to you and your  familyOLD LYME,CONN.

Dec 24, 2008 03:46 AM
Nancy Birge
Coldwell Banker - Old Lyme, CT
Waterfront Specialist

mTEDDY BEAR

Dec 24, 2008 04:08 AM
James Engel
Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills - Beverly Hills, CA
KW Beverly Hills

It's so sad when I hear about people that are going throuhh foreclosures, and it's even more sad when I hear about animals loosing their homes as well. Thank you so much for sharing your blog with us and showing us that you care and that you can help others. I hope you have a great day and Happy Holidays!

Dec 24, 2008 04:13 AM
Kristi DeFazio
RE/MAX Advantage - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Rea lEstate 719-459-5468

We just saw a commercial on tv similar to what you talk about. It showed abandoned animals in homes that have been foreclosed and my 9 yr. old was crying! I appreciate your post and all the great info!

Dec 24, 2008 04:49 AM
Chuck Capan
REMAX River Cities - Moline, IL
REALTOR Licensed In IL. - Moline Homes Quad Citie

Great post!  Guess I never really thought too much about the fallout from pets losing their homes too.

Dec 24, 2008 04:53 AM
Gail MacMillan
Titusville, FL

Tara - I'm so glad you did this post and that it's been featured.  We must keep reminding people that there are options....great job!!!  Merry Christmas

Dec 24, 2008 05:07 AM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Thank you Tara for your wonderful post!  These are great tips!  Pets are integral members of the family, and as such, impossible to leave behind (and split up the family?!?).

I am re-blogging your fine post!

Wonderful job!

I recently posted a blog:  Cutest Pet Contest!

In researching for the blog, I found out that we have several wonderful groups for pet lovers right here on AR.  I put links for all of them on that blog and I will insert this re-blog to all those groups, as well as to the property management groups who ought to have this.

Thank you!

Dec 24, 2008 05:30 AM
TIM MONCRIEF
Tim Monciref - Austin, TX
Over 2,000 homes sold…..

These stories always make me sick.....but there is always a direct correlation between people who do this and their credit.  I have never ever heard of anyone with a 750 credit score + be forced out of a house.  Never seen it...never heard of it.   Never heard of these leaving pets behind.  It is a whole mindset of responsibility as a human being.  Either you are or you are not.  Personally, I would like to tie the person to a tree with a leash and choke collar with no water or food.

OK, I feel better now.

Dec 24, 2008 05:45 AM
Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton
Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC - Hilton Head Island, SC

This is the saddest Christmas I've seen in my life.  To think that people are that desperate that they would just leave their pets is heartbreaking......not to say what they are going through. 

Dec 24, 2008 12:22 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Thanks for a wonderful and caring post Tara. We are not experiencing that kind of problem. I think landlord are just happy to get their homes rented with or without pets.

Dec 24, 2008 12:59 PM
Mike Henderson
Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO
HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

A great post.  I honestly feel sorriest for the pets, as this is ENTIRELY beyond their control.  Nice to see people trying to help out.

Dec 24, 2008 03:37 PM
Terrie Leighton
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV
Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

This is happening everywhere. We have had stories all week in the local news about horses being abandoned and going hungry. We have a lady that has taken in at least a dozen animals and cannot take in any more. Luckily she has been getting at lot of press attention so that should hopefully help. Thank you so much for listing and posting how to/help for people who are in a situation of loosing their home and/or loosing their jobs.

Have a wonderful day.

Dec 25, 2008 03:34 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

An absolute caring post.  I can tell you are a caring person. Good luck in getting the local papers to publish this. What about something on YouTube as well.  I have a chocolate lab named Zeke, and I can't imagine leaving him behind in a vacate house.

Dec 25, 2008 07:03 AM
Anonymous
Elyse Berman (Realty Associates Florida Properties, Boca Raton,

Tara, 

I've read about this problem before and it breaks my heart.  As the owner of two papillons and an animal lover,  I find it hard to grasp how anyone can just up and leave their animals.  25 years ago I left my first husband, but I took my son and my dog.  It never occurred to me to leave my dog anymore than I would have left my son. 

I  have a no-kill shelter near me as well as a very good friend who has been into rescue for over 30 years. If we can help in the south Florida area, please let me know.  

Someone earlier posted that it would be more humane to put the animals down or find them a home than leave them alone in a vacant house.  I have to say I agree with this statement, especially when I see people getting arrested for dog fighting, which happens all the time.

I enjoyed your post immensely.  Thank you and happy holidays!

Dec 25, 2008 10:56 AM
#59
Tara Stone
eXp Realty - Alexandria Township, NJ
NJ Estates and Stables

Elsye, Thank you so much for your comment...I actuallu grew up in Boca Bay Colony! I spent the last three winters in Fort Lauderdale and after leaving a long term relationship I have ended up in Cape Cod which I love, but I have to admit I miss the South Florida Life and SUN!  If there is ever anything I can do up here to help please don't hesitate to ask...

Warm Regards,

Tara

Dec 25, 2008 12:14 PM
Tara Stone
eXp Realty - Alexandria Township, NJ
NJ Estates and Stables

Hello All fellow Active Rainers..Thank You so much for all your thoughts, its such a wonderful energy and it's so wonderful that we are out there Helping!  Merry Christmas

Dec 25, 2008 12:25 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant

Thank you for writing this, Tara!  I hear about this on the news and from my doggie rescue friends and it is HORRIBLE!  As an animal-loving realtor with pups at home, I would do anything I could to assist a homeowner with their pets. 

... I also love the idea of a "pet resume" -- I know that landlords would really appreciate it.

kerry lucasse dog and cat

grover

Dec 25, 2008 03:09 PM