Pets Are Family Too

In this time of home foreclosures at an all-time high in the United States, not only are families losing their homes, but also pet family members are also suffering in the loss of homes. Recently, it was stated that 1 out of every 100 households were in a foreclosure stage. Foreclosure on a home mortgage is the process by which the lender repossess the home from the borrower who cannot repay their loan in full. Generally, foreclosure happens when a borrower may fall behind on monthly mortgage payments due to illness, job loss and other circumstances and a lender will initiate the foreclosure process on the borrower to recover the loan amount.

At these foreclosure rates, we may know of someone who is going through this weary process and their pet family members are also going through tense times. One of the worst casualties in the foreclosure process is when a homeowner loses their home in foreclosure and have to relocate when the lender gains possession and they abandon their pets. In some of the most inhumane and disgusting cases people are vacating their homes and leaving their pets to starve, either too embarrassed to admit they are in foreclosure, or figuring the animals will be found and taken care of. In these cases, the scenario has turned tragic for dogs, cats, birds, horses and other animals. Pet abandonment is a high occurrence when a family loses their home in foreclosure and may have to move into accommodations that do not accept pets. Many pets are left alone in the empty houses with little or no food for periods of time until someone in the neighborhood discover that they are there or a home inspection can reveal a pet on the brink of starvation and other health afflictions.

There is something we can do to help these pets before and after they have been abandoned. We must become as neighbors and reach out to help a struggling family facing the dreadful foreclosure process. Armed with information, we may be able to help them with placing their pets in a safer place, than left alone in vacant properties.

Here are some pet help tips for the family facing foreclosure and their families and friends.

• Check with family, friends and neighbors to see if they can take care of your pets until pet-friendly accommodations can be found.
• Contact local shelters, veterinarians and local humane society for foster homes or boarding homes for your pets in your area or area you may relocate to.
• Ask real estate agents and rental agencies about neighborhoods and housing that are pet-friendly before moving out of your home.
• Look for housing in the classified ads, internet and other sources for pet-friendly accommodations.
• If you cannot take your pet with you, contact the local animal shelter or animal control agency and tell them that you need food and shelter for your pets until you can settle down and reunite with them.

These are just a few tips to help the pet family members in foreclosure, and hope that they will not be abandoned and left alone to starve and perish in vacant homes. For more tips and information on saving pets in foreclosure check with the Humane Society of The United States.

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