Friday, June 13, 2008

Pet Rescues.....




Although, in my prior posts I have been talking about adopting a pet that has been rescued, as a volunteer with a dog rescue organization and Professionally as a Realtor, I am witnessing first hand the other side of this awful situation.

When times get tough and money is tight, it's not only people that suffer -- pets can bear the brunt of economic troubles. But people shouldn't give up their pets when times are tough -- there are a number of ways to save money and still be able to keep your loving little pooch.

While pet abandonment is nothing new, the SPCA says that the "drastically increasing numbers are new, and many shelters and rescue groups do not have the resources to care for this fast growing problem." The SPCA predicts that "pet abandonment will continue to increase as long as the
mortgage crisis continues." The main reason that people give up pets during tough economic times is that they don't have the money to take care of the pet.
If Worse Comes to Worse If even after using these methods, you are in a position where you can't afford to keep your pet, keep in mind these things:

Do not abandon your pets. Leaving them locked up in the house with a large pile of food is one of the worst things you can do. It can be weeks and even longer before anyone visits the house. Abandoning your pet in a park or forest also can doom pets, which usually aren't prepared to fend for themselves in the wild.

Find pet-friendly housing. If the reason you are unable to keep the pet is because you can't find housing that allows pets, contact your local rescue shelter or vet for information.
Ask a friend. Check with friends and family and see if anyone can take in the pet until you get back on your feet.

Talk with local veterinarians to see if any will offer low-cost boarding while you are looking for a new home. Veterinarians may also be able to assist in finding a new home for your pet since they often come in contact with people looking for pets.

Contact a Rescue Shelter. If it's impossible to find someone to take in the pet, contact your local animal shelter. Also check with local rescue groups. When checking with shelters and rescue groups, ask if they are able to foster the animal for a period of time while you secure a new home so you can reclaim your pet later.

1 comment:

Lauren said...

Both of our Jack Russell Terriers were rescues. Tory was in a kill shelter in Altoona where my riding instructor's husband worked. He called up a vet in Sanford (a horseback riding buddy of mine) and she took him in until she could place him in Jack Russell Rescue. Then 6 months later I found him on www.petfinder.com and fell in love. It wasn't until we talked to the rescue lady that we found out how he came to her. Small world.

Chance, our other JRT, was a rescue from a kill shelter near Ocala. He has proven to be very useful, killing rodents like rats, moles, snakes, etc. that find their way onto our property.

With so many great dogs in rescue, I don't know that we'll ever buy from a breeder.