Recently in foreclosures Category

Our friends at Valley of the Dogs report that the city of Los Angeles will hold a citywide adoptathon this weekend to help with what's being called a "perfect storm" of animals currently caught in the city's six animal shelters.

Several factors have contributed to the influx of animals, including the housing crisis and animals that came in after they were found loose after the Fourth of July. Summer also is a high-volume season for animal shelters. Many people move during these months and are unable to take their animals with them.

San Pedro's new shelter, which has been in the news lately, has seen a surge in animals being turned in by owners, Capt. Daniel Pantoja told me a couple weeks ago. And ironically, because the city now has an official "no kill" policy, animals are often being brought to L.A. shelters from other shelter areas outside the city.

The event this weekend will feature a more than 60 percent reduction in adoption fees -- $43 for dogs and $28 for cats. That includes vaccinations, microchips, spay-neuter and licensing.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday July 19 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday July 20. In our area, the Harbor Area Animal Shelter is located at 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro.

If you see a dog or cat that's not available for adoption yet, you can get a "rain check" and adopt the animal should it become available later -- at the same discount price. 

And speaking of raising awareness for the plight of shelter dogs, check out Traer Scott's book by the same name:  

Our friends at San Pedro Dogs alerted us recently to the SPCA's web site with listings available to pet owners who are in need of finding an apartment or house to rent.  

With foreclosures up -- not to mention just the usual ups and downs in life with job and landlord changes -- people who need to move and are looking for a rental often face an added challenge if they have pets in their household. Sadly, moving is one of the leading reasons listed among owners who turn their animals into the city shelters. (One of my rescue dogs, Cowboy, was turned into a shelter in the high desert when his owner had to move and told shelter workers he could no longer keep him.)

Some of the listings are free to access, others charge. But many update their lists daily.

The Humane Society also offers some helpful resources.