Foreclosing on Fido

[City Lights]

This makes me so sad. :cry:

Foreclosing on Fido
Financially overwhelmed owners abandon homes, with pets still inside
By Jennifer Waters, MarketWatch
Last update: 7:31 p.m. EDT March 27, 2008

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- In the swank Country Club area of Anthem, Ariz., Barbara Ward-Windgassen's rescue group has saved a bichon frise, Lhasa apso and shih tzu -- some with their leashes still on -- after their owners had abandoned them in their foreclosed high-priced homes.

She's also helped find new homes for a rottweiler and pit bull that were being cared for over the fence by neighbors for nearly two months after the family left them in the back yard when their house was taken back by the bank.

Call it reckless abandonment. Shelters and animal rescue organizations across the country are packed cage-to-cage with dogs and cats, even birds and reptiles, that have been ditched or dropped off as scores of foreclosed-upon homeowners relocate. It is a disturbing trend and a sign of the tough economic times that has prompted a number of organizations to form hotlines for pet foster homes and to implore pet owners -- or what the industry calls "pet parents" -- to seek help for their animals before they head off.

"There are a lot of people who are just walking away and leaving their pets behind, which breaks everyone's heart," said Windgassen, the president of Anthem Pets, a nonprofit animal welfare organization in her community.

The number of abandoned pure-bred dogs in her neighborhood alone has jumped 10-fold just since Christmas. "It just boggles my mind," she said. "It's cutting across all income levels and age levels."

more... http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/fido-foreclosed-overwhelmed-owners-abandon/story.aspx?guid=%7B64F48A24%2DC312%2D46FE%2DB098%2DA7D2FC34D93C%7D

[flvegan]

1. I can vouch for the validity of this major problem.

My rescue gets, seriously, 10 calls EVERY day from someone who is losing their home and can't take their dog/cat to where they have to go to live now. Then, THEN there are the e-mails. Dozens that I get that every rescue in town is in the TO: line.

I know two rescuers in Tampa Bay alone that have lost their homes, and that sent 20+ dogs to Animal Control.

Purebreed dogs usually have a better shot, as the great dane rescues, chihuahua rescues, etc will do their best to find space for the ones in need. The mutts...not so much.

[City Lights]

2. It's a horrible situation for all involved.

I can't imagine ever getting rid of, much less abandoning our pets, yet when one is faced with homelessness or having to move in with others, they sometimes have no choice. IMHO, there is no excuse for just leaving them to fend for themselves though. :mad: The whole situation just breaks my heart.

:toast: to you, flvegan, for being there for the voiceless amongst us. :hug:

[blondie58]

3. I can not comprehend leaving your baby behind

do they think because they're animals that they will survive on their own?

[City Lights]

4. I can't either.

I don't know what (or if) they're thinking. They're obviously distraught at losing their homes, but leaving their pets to fend for themselves is something I just don't get.