The
Chicago Tribune picked up on this great angle of the housing/mortgage mess:
"We're seeing quite a few animals being surrendered due to economic
reasons, including foreclosure," said Angie Wood, assistant executive
director of the Naperville Area Humane Society, which, in addition to
McKenzie and Rocket, is sheltering Bailey, a foreclosure cat.
"We're seeing people in bad financial situations who are moving to
places where they can't have pets," she said. "There definitely has
been an increase in the past six months to a year."
Though numerous shelters say they're not seeing a correlation between
foreclosures and animal surrenders, others report a definite spike.
"We're probably getting 25 [animals] a week coming to us for those
reasons," said Terri Sparks, a spokesman for The Animal Welfare League
in Chicago, which works with 53 municipalities on animal-control
issues. "It's probably increased a lot in the past six to seven months."
The problem may be more widespread than you think. Homeowners who are losing their homes can no longer cover up big abuse cases.
The
Tribune says:
Authorities around the country in recent months have reported numerous
findings of cats, dogs, birds, horses and other animals at foreclosed
houses and farms. Among the more notorious cases, animals were found in
large number -- three dogs and 20 birds in a house in Lorain, Ohio; 24
horses on a farm in Bixby, Okla.; and 63 cats in a house in Cincinnati.
It was too late when authorities got to a foreclosed house in Bradford,
Pa., to discover the bodies of 21 Great Danes. The owner on Thursday
pleaded guilty to 21 counts of animal cruelty.
The Humane Society of the United States issued a
public statement this month stating that it's worried about the
situation. The organization provided tips for pet owners who find themselves without a home and must find
pet-friendly housing to rent.
The Humane Society's tips on moving:
- Give
yourself enough time. If possible, check ads and contact real estate
agents and rental agencies at least six weeks before you plan to move
or when you first learn that foreclosure and/or eviction may be in your
future.
- Gather
proof that you're responsible. The more documentation you can provide
attesting to your conscientiousness as a pet owner, the more convincing
your appeal will be to your future landlord. This can include
statements from current property managers and neighbors that you
maintain your pet responsibly, as well as copies of veterinary records
showing ongoing pet care.
- Get it in writing. Once you have
permission from a landlord, manager or condominium committee to have a
pet, be sure to get it in writing. Comprehensive agreements protect
people, property and the pets themselves.
And the organization's tips on cutting the cost of pet ownership:
- While
buying expensive toys and accessories has become a popular way to
demonstrate your attachment to your pet, your pet can be just as happy
with less expensive toys or homemade toys. They need your love and
attention more than a pricey product. (The HSUS has tips for inexpensive
toys for both cats and dogs.)
- Keep
your pets safe inside or on a leash while walking outside. Animals
allowed to roam freely are more prone to accidents and resulting
veterinary bills.
- Let your veterinarian know that finances
are tight and ask that he or she prescribe only the most vital
vaccinations to keep your pet healthy.
- Consider pet health insurance to minimize the shock of an expensive bill from the veterinarian in case of an unexpected illness or injury.
Something that has worked for me is offering to put...
