I’ve read a lot of sad stories about pets who were abandoned when their owner’s homes were foreclosed upon. I have known some Realtors who go to great lengths to save these abandoned animals that are sometimes left inside the house after the owner locks it up – and takes the key!
How cruel and thoughtless can you be, really? Fortunately, there are some great groups out there, many of them that were started by Real Estate Agents, that are working to save the thousands of cats, dogs, and other pets that are left behind when their owners can no longer afford to keep their home.
Pets Abandoned Due to Foreclosure
My question usually is – why don’t these pet owners simply look for a new owner for the pet, or at least have the decency to abandon it at a shelter? That’s a far better alternative to leaving them inside the foreclosed home without water or food, or where it can be cold or hot. In extreme heat, a dog can die within a matter of days, and can become dehydrated in just one day. Abandoning the pet in a shelter at least gives it a fifty/fifty chance at life. Sometimes homeowners see their pets as property instead of a living, breathing thing. This can often lead them to feel no remorse in leaving their pets to the mercy of others or to whatever fate they might have when abandoned.
The law, at least in most states, sees the pet as property, too. This is why pets have no rights. And when left behind, the pet is subject to be seized, like property, by the lender who now owns the home. Most lenders, however, do not have the inclination to take care of pets. But the sad reality is that since the pet is personal property, the lender or an agent working on his behalf cannot remove the pet from the home until a period of time has passed.
Solutions For Those Looking To Take Care Of Their Pets
If you are a homeowner who is facing foreclosure, or a renter who has been evicted due to foreclosure, you need to take steps to ensure your pet’s safety and health. You have options:
Find the pet a new home. Put the pet on Craigslist.Org, or other online classified. Ask friends and family to adopt the pet. Many times you can find someone who will love the pet and care for it; it just takes some time and effort.
Look for organizations in your area that shelter pets that are in this type of situation. Some rescue groups will foster the pet until you find a place to live, and then you can return and get the pet back. One such organization serves the Phoenix, Arizona area, and is called the Lost Our Home Foundation. This non-profit organization has saved more than 1200 pets abandoned at foreclosure, just from within the Phoenix metro area, and has helped to feed an additional 7000. Yes, the problem is really that big.
Take your pet to a shelter. Although one-half of all animals that end up abandoned at local animal shelters end up being euthanized due to the lack of funding for stray dogs and cats, it still gives the animal a shot at finding a “forever” home.
Whatever you do, don’t abandon your pet in your home or to the streets!
About the author: Linda Wise is a pet friendly Realtor servicing buyers and sellers in the Melbourne Beach FL real estate market. You can get to know Linda and her team by visiting her Rockledge FL real estate page and search Port St. John FL real estate listings.