L.A. Animal Services Feels Impact From Housing Foreclosures

This is yet another sad casualty of this failing economy. It's just more proof that our lovely president is in denial when he says that we're not in a recession.

The following is from the original press release:

As more families are forced from their homes, the fallout is painfully clear at LA Animal Care Centers. The precise numbers are unknown, because there is no nationwide standard for documenting the number of "foreclosure pets" and because many owners who surrender animals at shelters tell personnel only that they are "moving" and give no specifics. But anecdotal comments from realtors and media coverage of certain incidents suggest that the phenomenon may be more widespread than anyone wants to acknowledge.

A few years ago I was forced to move back with my mom due to financial difficulties. Now she would have preferred not to have cats in the house but she knew that my cats are part of my family and made the sacrifice. I was pretty lucky in that regard but I would have sold all of my other possessions before giving up my furry companions and done everything I could to make sure they were taken care of...and that meant possibly living in my car. Who knows what would have happened but the fact is I would have definitely thought hard about their welfare.

When people take in a pet they need to take the animal's welfare into consideration when situations like this arise.

"Pets are among the voiceless victims of the current economic downturn" said Ed Boks, general manager of LA Animal Services. "I encourage families to prepare for their pets in the event of financial difficulties the same way they should prepare for a natural disaster. Take the time to plan what you will do if forced to surrender a pet. An animal shelter should only be a last resort."

Here's some good advice from the Humane Society.

"Pet owners may feel financially unable to care for their pets or are overwhelmed by a sudden move, but there are many alternatives to leaving pets behind. For those in need of help, we offer tips on easing the financial burden of pet ownership and finding pet-friendly housing," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for companion animals at The HSUS.

If every apartment complex (regular and low-income) allowed pets on the premises, animal shelters and other rescue organizations wouldn't be seeing this happen to the extent that it is.

I reluctantly agree to what Shain thinks when she says:

"No one likes to think of leaving their pet at a shelter, but if you can't take him with you, it is by far more humane than leaving them in an apartment or a house alone." But if you can't take them with you the next best thing would be to find a friend or family member that's willing to take the animal. As it's been said before, turning them into a shelter or a rescue organization should be a last resort.