Pets are Among the Worst Sufferers of the Foreclosure Crisis
Pets are among the worst sufferers of the foreclosure crisis. In Upland City, the Director of Community Development Jeff Bloom said that the crux of the problem is that officials just cannot walk into the house and rescue the pets without prior permission for concerned authorities. The neighbours have been making complaints. The officials have their sympathy for those worried and harassed by continuous barks and howls. But the officials do not have full control over the situation.
Tim Adams a realtor representing Century 21 Lois Lauer Realty of Redlands said even if the house is foreclosed it does not indicate that the previous owner’s right to possession is over. He explained, “What happens is after the foreclosure is finalized, an agent will be assigned to that property within a week or two. I will say that for whatever reason the banks have really been very slow in dealing with them.”
The real truth is that the banks do not want to put the units into the market until the prices start to go up. Meanwhile they are avoiding ownership by taking title deed because that would mean maintaining the units and paying taxes; so delaying matters prove to be profitable for the banks.
If any agent comes across an abandoned animal they should immediately contact local humane organization or any animal control society. Notices would be pasted informing the owners to take away the animals from the unit. If the owners fails to show up then the animal control group can take charge of them.
Adams said that often it so happens that the owners do not leave the pets inside the house but allow them to roam wild. Many of the foreclosure victims are compelled to shift to another apartment where pets are disallowed. Some owners suffer from taking a decision as they do not want to turn the dogs over to a pound. They keep their fingers crossed that by letting them loose some kind heart would pick them up and adopt them. But unfortunately it does not always happen so neatly.
Elaine Gallegos who works with Upland Animal Shelter and is also a real estate agent said she has seen many owners just drop their pets on the streets because they cannot care for them. She said, “There are two dogs right now over there, and they’re timid. The male is very frightened and the female is a little more playful and energetic. They were surrendered and given up because the house foreclosed.”
