Ad
Ad

The other crisis: Pets losing their homes too

The surge of housing foreclosures is taking a heavy toll on families across the country, and our pets are paying the biggest price of all.

4 comments | Leave your own comment

Article Photo

Ralphie was left behind in an
abandoned apartment when
his owner was evicted. If you
have a home for Ralphie,
contact Pet Rescue of Mercer.

Last summer one family in northern California lost their home. They hurriedly packed what they'd decided to take with them, and drove to the dump with the rest. There they dropped off an old tired couch, and a brown pit bull mix. For several days the dog waited for her family to return. Tied to the couch she had no choice.

When she was finally discovered, she was dehydrated and very tired. Debbie Eaglebarger, caretaker of the local Corning, California shelter and the one who untied her, gave her something to eat and drink, and named her Summer.

There will always be people like Summer's former owners, who get rid of their dogs thoughtlessly. But Eaglebarger says the number of dogs who've been hastily abandoned due to an eviction or loss of a home is on the rise. "The foreclosure crisis is hitting very hard here," she says.

Shared suffering

For the past several months, reports about the deepening housing crisis have dominated the news. Much less well publicized is how it's affecting the pet population. Tracking is spotty, but animal shelters from New York to California and everywhere in between are reporting more pets being surrendered in spots particularly hard hit by housing problems.

"We are definitely seeing more people bringing dogs in because they're moving," says Sharon Harvey, Executive Director of the Cleveland Animal Protective League in Ohio, where some 150,000 homes went into foreclosure last year.

While one in 10 homes across the country are underwater, meaning the house is worth less than the mortage, that ratio is much higher in Ohio. "When these people are giving up their animals they don't always say it's due to foreclosure," says Harvey, "but often it's pretty clear that's what's happening."

In Sacramento, California, which has the nation's fifth highest foreclosure rate, the rate of animal surrender from September to December of 2007 increased by 130 percent over the same time period the year before.

No more room for a pet

"Moving" has always been among the top reasons owners list for turning in their pets to a shelter. But this crisis is affecting even those who'd never dreamed of giving up their pets. Owners forced to sell their homes don't have many options. They may find themselves sharing scarce space with friends or family, or dealing with landlords who'd rather accept the tenant who doesn't have a cat or dog. Suddenly, there's no room in their life anymore for a pet.

The luckiest animals have owners able to find them new homes. But even being taken to a shelter is better than the alternative. Animals left behind rarely have a chance. "The trend seems to be that once abandoned, banks or owners of these properties are finding the animals and calling their local animal welfare facility to help assist in taking care of them," says Stephen Zawistowski, Executive Vice President at the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

And what investigators find isn't pretty. By the time a neighbor or landlord notices that a pet has been left behind, it can be too late. Frequently, the dog or cat is found in grave condition--too weak to move or suffering kidney failure or dead.

Evidence of the fear and pain they experience in the last days of their lives show up in scratch marks on doors and bite marks around windows. "It's not uncommon to find chewed-up bits of carpet and wallboard--they'll try to eat anything," says Stephanie Shain, of the Humane Society of the United States. "Animals left behind become absolutely desperate."

Unable to fend for themselves

While some animals are left behind in homes, others are let loose on the streets without any means of finding food or protection. "No matter what time of year, we find puppies, pregnant dogs, and cats trying to fend for themselves,"  [Continued]


bookmarks digg del.icio.us google bookmarks yahoo bookmarks furl stumbleupon
Ad



Comments

I wonder if these people who leave their pets behind would also leave their child behind if the child became "inconvenient!"” — GothGirl, Apr 07 2008

My pit bull is absolutely the sweetest dog I've ever known, and very anxious to please. She loves people and other dogs, and tries to play with my cats. They just won't cooperate. She's such a lover.” — Roozoo, Mar 16 2008

So very true. Whether it's a foreclosure or an eviction, or a simple moving because you can't pay the rent, the animals get the brunt many times. Shelters who bear the burden of the discarded animals, and truly the community, need to provide solutions and education before these throwaways become the throwaways.” — debbie, Mar 05 2008

See all 4 comments

Add a comment


News: newest topics

See ALL topics in this forum

Subscribe to News 11 topics, 40 posts
topics replies views last post
>>> Tammy Grimes: heroine or criminal?

Did Tammy Grimes cross the line when she took a suffering dog out of a stranger's backyard? Or did she do the right thing, no matter what the law says? Share your thoughts with other readers here.

8 926 Jun 10, 2008 5:35pm by Raspberries
view
Green Your Dog Article

Anybody out there who is really trying to go "green" with your pets? Got some tips for the rest of us? The article on this site is goo... (continued)

0 92 Jun 12, 2008 5:30pm by Indypie
view
Is safe/not living with a dog while I am pregnant?

Is it safe to live with a dog while I am pregnant? As far as I know that prenatal development is very important. Everything can be a tera... (continued)

3 299 Jun 6, 2008 1:17pm by porcari69
view
Anxious dogs: A growing epidemic?

Do you think today's dogs are more anxious than our parent's pooches? If so, why? And if your dog's suffering from anxiety, have you foun... (continued)

2 241 May 22, 2008 7:14am by Tailspin
view
Centers
Meet your match, try the DogFinder MatchUp
Find a dog near you with the DogFinder search
Ready for a dog? Find out here!
Dog breed center
Dunbar training center
dog experts

the Dancing Dog greeting card

Dogpage


Topics

News and press





Ad