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Are You Finding Homeless Pets

By Sharon Richards

Real Estate Agent with Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida

December 01, 2008 02:28 PM

ARE YOU FINDING HOMELESS PETS due to short sales and foreclosures? This seems to be an epidemic as homeowners lose their homes. Due to fact their new rental home or moving in with family are not accepting their pets. The animal rescue organizations are reporting that adoptions are down and they are filled to capacity.

Last week, I found 5 cats that were left in a vacant home which is a short sale. So, I went to the grocery store to purchase water and food, and proceed to come back every night to feed them. After many phone calls, one of the animal organizations found foster homes for the kitties. Well, one of the organizations reported the owner of the home to the county and the county called me to find out her name so they could press charges for abandonment. I told the county, the kitties had a home. and I feel the homeowner already has enough problems. Yes, I think the homeowner was wrong in what she did. I could never leave our fur children behind if I ever lost my home.

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Marcy Moyer

eXp Realty of California Silicon Valley Probate, Trust, and Investment Sales - Mountain View, CA

Probate, Trust, and Investment Specialist

We can help by convincing all our rental clients to rent to people with pets.

Marcy Moyer Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto Ca

Dec 01, 2008 02:36 PM

Renée Donohue~Home Photography

Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI

Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I do IGCA rescue for the Italian Greyhound breed. Just had one of those tough calls today :(

Dec 01, 2008 02:39 PM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Gayle - Yes you are right - we live in the me generation. I still can't believe a person would leave animals in a vacant, with no electric or with no food or water.

Dec 01, 2008 02:39 PM

Brian Brumpton

Keller Williams Boise - Boise, ID

Boise Idaho Real Estate

This is has been and ongoing problem and it's probably going to get bigger as more people are faced with cutting back they will turn away from caring for their animals.

Dec 01, 2008 02:42 PM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Honestly when people are under the kind of pressure that comes with losing a home, they sometimes don't use good judgment. Thank goodness for you finding them and being able to take care of them before anything happened to them. We haven't found any in our area but I'm sure that it is a problem some places in our city where there are more foreclosures.

Dec 01, 2008 02:43 PM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

PAT - Hopefully it stays that way for you

TRUNDA - It is hard to find homes in my area for the animals

MARCY - Thanks, that was a very good idea

Dec 01, 2008 02:45 PM

Richard Iarossi

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD

Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Sharon, I can't imagine the extent of the problems people are going through when they abandon their pets. Thank you for helping out in this case. So many people would have just walked away thinking it wasn't their problem.

Dec 01, 2008 02:46 PM

John Novak

Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV

Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

It's sad to hear these stories. How can someone just abandon an animal who has given them unconditional love? Glad to hear that you were able to help these cats find new homes.

Dec 01, 2008 02:48 PM

Karen Nusbaum

Coldwell Banker Brenizer Realtors - Eau Claire, WI

Sharon -I have not seen this in person but did read a newspaper article in my state of Wisconsin recently about a gal who has been adopting or saving horses and farm animals left behind on foreclosures. It was a huge number of animals this year. If I locate the article I will send it to you.

Dec 01, 2008 02:51 PM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

RENEE - I know what you are talking about

BRAIN - I think you are so right

SHARON - That's why I didn't report the women to the county, for I figured she had enough to deal with already.

Dec 01, 2008 02:54 PM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

RICHARD - I would not be able to sleep knowing the cats could not take care of themselves.

JOHN - Thanks for the comment. I do love animals.

KAREN - Wow - farm animals - please do send me the article.

Dec 01, 2008 03:02 PM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Sadly this is a problem all over -- and it seems to be getting worse.

Dec 01, 2008 03:48 PM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Sharon, that is so sad! They are such beautiful cats. If I saw a post about these guys found in a house up here, I would definately be suckered into bringing one home. Willie the hyperactive Labradoodle puppy needs another playmate!

Dec 01, 2008 10:49 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Sharon, I have heard of this category of story with the pets from the distressed properties. Sad to hear about for sure. The animal organizations try to help.

Dec 02, 2008 12:26 AM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

BOB - Yes, I agree with you

PAT - I sure do wish you lived closer, but I did find homes for the kitties. Thank you for your comment.

Gary - I volunteer with 2 of the animal organizations. One of the organizations buys food for the elderly pet owners who would have to give up their pets due to their fixed incomes so we drop off food every month and check to see how they are doing. This keeps the pets with a home and the owners have some companionship and love.

Dec 02, 2008 12:25 PM

Gail MacMillan

Titusville, FL

Hi Sharon - I love you for what you did, makes you very special in my eyes, thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cats are my favorite species, they totally captivate me and never want to see them hurt (any animal, for that matter). We are all God's creatures...and as the animal goes, so goes man! I have to know, because these don't look like abandoned pets....are these the same ones from the short sale house? I'm hoping they are yours! Cats in sinks are soooo c-u-t-e!!!

Dec 04, 2008 02:58 AM

Lela Hankins

RE/MAX UNITED - San Marcos, CA

CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI

Sharon,

Those kitties have such BEAUTIFUL faces! How could anyone walk away from them?

Dec 09, 2008 12:54 PM

Sylvie Conde

Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Broker, Toronto Real Estate

Sharon, you're an angel. I don't know how anyone can abandon their family. :(
I'm glad they have new families now.

Jan 14, 2009 12:37 AM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Sylvie - Thanks for stopping by. I love animals especially cats, and could not leave them.

Jan 14, 2009 02:08 PM

Melody Botting

Broker Associate PenFed Realty - San Antonio, TX

You Deserve The Best

I think the picture of them in the sink is too cute. I have a soft spot for animals as well and it breaks my heart to read your post. This has become a big problem these days so thank you for bringing attention to it.

Jan 19, 2009 12:40 AM