Pets Go Homeless As Recession Hits Hard

[The Straight Story]

Pets Go Homeless As Recession Hits Hard
by Ann Warren


When financial difficulties hit the home, the first to go homeless are not the human family, but their pets. Pets go homeless when recession woes hurt their families, and everyone suffers simply because of the fear of going hungry or being unable to pay the human's grocery bill, much less food for our pets.

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) says that hundreds of thousands of pets may continue to go homeless as a result of the economic downturn. Other times, pets may be lost because of "people problems" like divorce, foreclosure, and lifestyle changes.

As people lose their homes to foreclosure, and may be forced to move into apartments or stay with relatives, there's just no place for a dog or cat.

Most of these beloved pets will end up in animal shelters, animal pounds, given away, sold, or just set loose to fend for themselves outside the home.

If you are faced with the agonizing decision to give up your pet, consider these alternatives:

- See if a friend, neighbor or family member can temporarily take your pet until you can take them back, and make sure you check in on your pet regularly if someone is indeed nice enough to take them in;

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_212270078.shtml

[endless october]

1. that sucks.

i wouldn't want to be without my pets. they are the closest thing to kids that i have. can't imagine having to find new homes for them.

[Myrina]

2. I foster for a Beagle Rescue and our group alone ...

... has taken in over a dozen in 2009 due to 'financial hardships' on their families. One small rescue in one small geographic area.
Multiply that by how many big cities ....

And so many of these pets have been in their houses with the same family their entire lives and are utterly traumatized and confused when they are dumped off at a shelter or left to their own defenses, end up in one. Some experience behavioural problems that make them almost unadoptable (pacing in circles, forgetting house-breaking, endless howling etc.) because their world too has been turned upside down.

So yes, please, if you are facing any type of situation that may not allow you to continue to care for your pets, reach out to a family member, friend, or rescue who can help transition the animal(s) into a home-like situation to help ease their upheaval.