How to Save Pets During Foreclosure
Avoid Abandoning Pets - Tips to Help Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
Nov 18, 2008
Panic can set in, in the middle of a crisis such as foreclosure on a home. Take a minute to stop and think about pets. They do so much to bring us comfort, companionship and actually offer families therapeutic benefits going through a stressful time.
What Happens To Pets Left Behind
If you need to vacate your home, please don't leave pets behind in the house or yard or dump them off somewhere in hopes that someone will care for them. The reality is that many are found in houses and yards dead from lack of food and water. Outside, they have to compete with wildlife for prey or they may become prey. Dogs and cats only last an estimated 3-4 weeks without food and only days without food and water, especially in extreme heat or cold. If left inside the house, they are forced to eat whatever they can find, even furniture or drywall. The bottom line is that abandoning animals is not just inhumane but may be illegal. People who leave pets behind could be facing criminal investigations or criminal charges for neglecting their pets.
Find Safe Placement for Pets if you Need to Vacate a Home
Try to find a safe place for your pet to stay permanently or just until you get established at a new residence. American Humane's website lists some great ideas for giving pets' safe haven.
- Ask family, friends, neighbors and co-workers if they will care for your pet while you relocate.
- Check with local breeders to see if they know of anyone who will be a Foster pet parent for you until you get established.
- Ask your veterinarian or a boarding kennel if your can receive low-cost boarding for your pets, or set up a payment plan for boarding costs while you relocate.
- If you can't find temporary placement for your pets, visit Petfinder.com or the No Paws Left Behind websites to search for animal shelters and animal rescue organizations in your area. Some shelters and organizations may offer to house pets for a short period of time, until you can get reunited with your pet. After a certain time limit, they may put the pet up for adoption.Generally these are considered "No Kill" Shelters.
- The last option is to surrender your pet to a local open-admission animal shelter. These type of facilities must accept all animals, but the adoption of your pet is not guaranteed, so if the shelter is overcrowded, they may be forced to euthanize (put down) your pet. Generally, there is a 50/50 chance they will be adopted. But at least it is better than no chance at all if they are left alone to fend for themselves.
How to Take Pets With You to Temporary Housing
The nation's foreclosure crisis has taken its toll on shelters and humane societies. Some have increased intake to a point that they can no longer accept new animals. Also fewer people are able to adopt animals because of the economy and rising pet costs. In addition, it sometimes is hard to find apartments that will accept animals. If moving in with family or friends, they sometimes can't take in pets. These complications further exacerbate the problem. There are options however. Try to find housing that is pet-friendly. Visit Apartments.com to do a search for those that are pet friendly.
Another idea is to try to rent from private landlords instead of commercial ones. They may be able to better negotiate pet deposits, number and size of pets permitted. Try going to Craigslist.com to search your area for such properties. Keep in mind that landlords are more likely to rent to a tenant whose pets have been vaccinated, spayed or neutered and are obedience trained.
Resources For Those Trying to Help Abandoned Pets
If you suspect pets have been abandoned inside or outside of a house, first call the local animal control agent or Humane Society. If you are not sure if animals are inside a house, call the phone number on the "For Sale" sign to speak to a real estate agent. They most likely can check the house inside for pets.
Before you give food and water to an abandoned animal, you may want to call a veterinarian to make sure it is okay. Some are too weak to eat or drink and may get sicker.
For shelters seeking advice and perhaps funding, visit the website above for No Pets Left Behind or go to AmericanHumane.org. There are several ideas there for assistance.
Reach out to those around you and you may find a large circle of assistance when you try to do the right thing for your pets! There are many animal lovers out there and they also don't want to see pets suffer in vane.
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