As the number of foreclosed properties increases in the Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena area, so too, does the number of abandoned animals
In response to this continuing trend, California Assemblyman Mark Desaulnier,D-Concord, introduced Assembly Bill 2949 this year calling for real estate agents, landlords and property managers to take responsibility for those abandoned pets. As of today, (Jan 1, 2009) the law is now in effect. It states, "any person or private entity with whom a live animal has been 'involuntarily deposited' must take charge of it."
The previous law inhibited people (real estate agents or banks) from taking any action when they went in the house and saw the animal there because the old law basically said that was private property and they couldn't remove it. In many cases real estate agents who are the first on scene after a foreclosure have come across abandoned pets who are hungry, lonely and sometimes dead. "It is more responsibility for us as realtors, but I for one see it as part of my duty.
Other options to abandonment are, contacting local animal welfare agencies, or the Pasadena Humane Society.
Before a house gets foreclosed upon, ask the homeowners about their plans for their pets. Show some animal rescue literature to foreclosed homeowners.
When the house has been vacated, check for any pets left behind. Ask your local humane society in how to rescue abandoned pets.
Do not keep blaming foreclosed homeowners for leaving their pets behind. Just do something to rescue the abandoned pets.
There is no excuse for leaving animals behind without food or water and having them suffer.
Animal control officers who take in the pets will be allowed to secure a lien to recover any rescue costs; and previous owners may even be able to retrieve their pet at a later date without facing any legal liability.
It is very disheartening to know that this problem will only get worse before it gets better, so hopefully we can all do our part to ease the crisis in any way possible.
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