We have all heard stories about how the mortgage and financial meltdowns are affecting businesses, organizations, and families. Layoffs and foreclosures are devastating some communities. When people lose their homes, pets are often the innocent victims.
Animal Control officers are picking up more and more domestic animals left behind by those who have left town or moved, and shelters are becoming overwhelmed.
As the Canine Coordinator for Berkeley Humane, I have seen firsthand how the financial crisis has affected animals, Every day we get calls from people that need to surrender their pets, often at the last minute. As part of my job, I assess dogs at various Shelters in the Bay Area, I have seen a huge increase in the number of dogs, especially small dogs, and cats in our local agencies,
One lovely Rottie mix we rescued from a city shelter had been pregnant and left behind in a yard when her family moved away. We also took in a litter of puppies who were born outside; the neighbor found them and brought them in. Every agency can tell you story after story in this vein. Dogs are left tied in yards and cats are abandoned in garages, often with no food or water. Some are too far gone to be saved, having tried to survive by eating carpet and sheet rock.
Marcie Burrell, Animal Control Officer at Berkeley Animal Services, says, “We are seeing many animals that are used to being in a loving home; it is extra sad to see them struggle in the shelter.” Rebecca Katz, Acting Director of San Francisco Animal Care and Control, agrees. She saw a significant increase in the number of owner surrenders in January and feels it is due to the economic downturn.
Many cat owners believe that felines can easily make it on their own, surviving on the kindness of neighbors or hunting for food. Sadly, abandoned cats have a very difficult time because they will shy away from feral colonies and have never learned to fend for themselves.
Homeowners in desperate situations tend to run out the clock, hoping to forestall an eviction. Eventually, panic sets in and they often have to move at the last minute to a place where pets are not permitted. The thought of taking their animals to a shelter where they may be euthanized is too terrible to contemplate for some, so they leave pets in the house or yard, perhaps expecting a realtor or bank employee to take care of them. The truth is, once vacated, houses often sit closed up for weeks or months, resulting in starvation and sometimes death for the animals.
If you find yourself in this type of situation, what should you do? First, plan ahead. I recommend asking friends and relatives if they can care for your pet. Taking photos that capture your pet’s personality and posting them on Petfinder or Craigslist can result in a successful re-homing. Of course, you will want to screen potential adopters to make sure that the home will be the best for your pet.
If you purchased your pet from a reputable breeder, many breeders will take their dogs back. There are also many breed-specific rescue groups in the Bay Area that will allow you to post photos and a bio of your pet on their websites. One thing to remember: a pet that is healthy, spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccines will have a better chance of being placed.
If you choose to call a local Humane Society to surrender your animal, here are some basic facts you should keep in mind:
- Humane Societies are privately funded and many charge a surrender fee;
- Animals must pass a temperament test and will be admitted only if there is space for owner surrenders;
- Humane Societies prefer to rescue animals from shelters and some restrict owner surrenders;
- Unfortunately, animals with medical issues, poor handling, or very elderly animals may not be accepted; and
- Staff members at these agencies are caring people; if they cannot take your animal, it is not personal, so please don’t take it out on them.
If you have run out of time, your best option is to take your pets to your local Animal Control agency, where they will be safe, warm, cared for, and possibly adopted out. Even if your animals’ ultimate survival in a shelter can’t be guaranteed, a best-case scenario is often the result.
Most of us can’t imagine leaving our pets under any circumstances, yet more people than ever are facing this wrenching decision. As mentioned above, realistic planning ahead is essential. If your financial circumstances are worsening, give some thought to what you will do to make sure your animal companions have the best possible chance of finding new homes.
Mary Giuffrida is the Canine Program Lead at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society, 2700 Ninth Street, Berkeley; 510-845-7735 ext. 18.
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