Foreclosures Rendering Pets Homeless Too

Posted in Foreclosures, January 21st, 2008 |

In Salem there is a shelter for animals whose owners are victims of foreclosures. Being evicted themselves they can no longer look after their pets. Debroah Vaughn, the manger of the shelter at Salem Animal Rescue League recounts many sad tales. It was only a month ago that things began to be noticed. About 10 cats and 2 dogs had been surrendered as a result of the foreclosure fall out. Valorie Hayes, a spokesperson of the rescue team is hopeful that the owners will reallocate and come back for their pets.

The board of directors of the rescue league is thinking about expanding its programme named Safe Place. So far it has provided temporary cover to pets whose female owners, being victims of domestic violence had to move into shelters. After a reasonable time span the woman could again take back her pet. Since the plan worked in the case of pets affected by homes broken up by domestic violence, the organizer began to wonder if the same would work for homes broken up by foreclosures.

This is not the first time that the organization has stepped in following a trend. Once the team members of Meals on Wheels saw senior citizens sharing their food with their pets. The Salem Animal Rescue League now helped to provide food separately for the beleaguered animals. Foreclosures are now threatening society and the domestic pets. They feel it is time to step in.
The pet owners are also expected to do their part – retrieve their animals as soon as they set themselves up in an alternative home and are back on their feet. If the owner does not have any specific plan or f the place they are shifting to does not allow pets then they do not qualify to leave the animals in this particular shelter.

All the cats meowing around are temporary guests but they can be sent up for adoption if the owner fails to show up. The question is whether more time can be given to keep the pets because with the foreclosure crisis raging outside it is not easy to get accommodation and or employment. Nothing has been formalized.The main problem is space and help.
On an average 2 or 3 people call seeking shelter for their pets but the shelter right now can accommodate 60 cats – 30 on its own premises and the rest elsewhere under foster care.