Foreclosure Resources
Home foreclosures are on the rise in Massachusetts and many pets are losing their homes as well as their families. Pets have been among the voiceless victims of the current economic downturn. Shelters are reporting increases in animal surrenders due to financial difficulties and foreclosures as families struggle to keep and feed pets. If foreclosure seems imminent, look for alternatives to surrendering your pet well in advance:
- Look for pet-friendly living accommodations where you will be relocating. Check newspaper ads, real estate management companies and/or talk with your local humane society or animal control officer to see if they can provide information on pet-friendly apartments.
Consider a temporary living arrangement for your pet. Perhaps a friend or family member would be willing to provide foster care until you find a new home that will allow for your pet to join you.
If temporary housing is not an option and you need to rehome your pet, screen potential adopters carefully. When placing an ad, make sure you ask for an adoption fee. Do not offer your pet as “Free to Good Home”.
As a last resort, call your local humane society or animal control facility. It is a far better choice for pet and human to surrender your pet to an adoption center or shelter than to abandon an animal.
Never Abandon Your Pet
Abandoned pets face a grim future. Many pets trapped inside abandoned homes aren't found until they're on the brink of starvation – or, sadly, beyond. It may be a difficult decision to bring your pet to a shelter but it is far more humane than abandoning them. The MSPCA Law Enforcement department reminds pet owners of their responsibility to their companion animals. It is against the law to abandon an animal in Massachusetts and owners could face felony animal cruelty charges for doing so. Under the felony animal cruelty law, fines of $2500 and/or up to five years in prison can be imposed.How You Can Help
Contact your local animal control agency or shelter to see how you can help. Financial donations and supplies would be appreciated as many shelters and pounds operate on a shoestring budget and are overwhelmed with the current influx of animals.Donate to the Humane Society of the United States’ which recently launched a Foreclosure Pet Fund to help keep families and pets together by funding grants to animal shelters, non-sheltered rescue/adoption groups and animal care and control agencies to help establish, expand, or publicize services or programs that assist families in caring for their pets during the current economic crisis.
If you know of families with pets facing foreclosure, share this information with them. If you suspect a pet has been abandoned, don’t hesitate to contact your local animal control agency or shelter.