With Recent Foreclosures The Homeless Cat & Dog Population Explodes - The New Crisis for Family Pets

Hurricane Katrina was devastating for thousands of people and for the pets that were left behind at the time of the evacuations. Some pets were fortunate enough to be reunited with their families, but thousands were rescued by animal welfare organizations and rehomed. For some, it was the end of their lives since help came too late. Now a new crisis that threatens the nation's pets is foreclosure. A foreclosure is a traumatic experience for any family to go through; especially when they're desperately trying to find ways to keep from losing their home.

In many cases, foreclosures take place without much notice. Families have all they can do to get their possessions packed and find another place to live on short notice. Often the only solution a pet owner facing eviction from their home has is to relinquish their pets to a shelter. This is both stressful for the owner and the pets who don't understand why they're being taken from their family and left in a strange place.

In the midst of this crisis, a disturbing new trend is taking place across the country. Pets are being left behind when their owners move out. Realtors have been entering homes only to find that the family pets have been abandoned by their owners. In some cases, dogs are left chained in the yard, and cats are being set free in parks and areas where their owner thinks someone will take care of them.

Sometimes the owner simply doesn't care. If several cats are left in an area where there's a food source, a feral colony will form. Instead of subjecting innocent animals to a life of suffering, foreclosure assistance for homeowners with pets can be found by calling Hope Now 886-995-HOPE or visiting their website: www.hopenow.com - Another resource to check is: www.animalsheltering.org

Pet owners often have to rehome their pets in a matter of a few days, or even in a few hours. In the best of circumstances it's often next to impossible to find a family member or friend to open their home to pets that can no longer be kept by their owners. Many owners won't relinquish their pets to a shelter since they think the animal will be euthanized, and considering that approximately 5 million adoptable pets are euthanized in the United States every year, there's a good chance that could happen. However, it's much more cruel to simply abandon a pet because the owner has to move in a hurry. There are alternatives which some may not find practical, but at least their pets have a second chance, and may be able to reunite with their family once they have settled elsewhere. If a homeowner is having difficulty in paying their mortgage, they should have a plan in place for their pets in the event of a foreclosure. There are a number of things that can be planned in advance.

A homeowner should meet with their lender and try to get their payments lowered as soon as possible. Circumstances are different in every case, but a lender may be willing to negotiate if they know the homeowner is making an honest effort to keep up with their payments. If that's not an option, temporary pet friendly housing could keep the family together until something permanent is found. The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) has a foreclosure grant program for pets. Information about the "Rent With Pets" program can be found at: www.humanesociety.org.

If a foreclosure is imminent, they should get rates for boarding pets at a local animal hospital or with individuals in the area and see if they offer discounts for clients facing a financial crisis. Enough time should be allowed in order to make all the necessary arrangements. During a holiday season, it can be difficult to find accommodations for pets since spaces have to be reserved well in advance of the holiday. If a friend or family member isn't willing to adopt a pet, they may be receptive to acting as a foster caregiver until the owner has gotten settled, especially if they realize it's only on a temporary basis.

One of the best resources that I've found regarding issues about pets is the Best Friends Animal Society based in Utah. Best Friends has a network of volunteers all over the country that assist pet owners in a variety of situations. To find resources on Best Friends website go to: www.bestfriends.org - If time is a factor, it's best to call rather than email for information. Best Friends phone number is: 435-644-2001.

Anyone who loves animals and wants to help them can do several things now that will benefit any pet who is abandoned or relinquished to a shelter. All shelters operate on a limited budget, even the larger ones. Monetary donations are always welcome and can help with medical care or spay/neuter programs, but donations of cat and dog food, bedding, blankets, and litter are appreciated.

Consider opening your home to foster pets. There are so many that need temporary homes until permanent homes are found. Often these animals need more socialization before being adopted, or they may have to recover from an illness or injury. Some have just been in a shelter for so long, they need time in a loving home to get the attention they crave. Usually once a pet is sent to a foster home, it's not returned to the owner. I advocate that foster volunteers should be receptive to changing their policy and finding room in their home for a pet that has been displaced due to a foreclosure; returning the pet once the owner had relocated.