In The Jaws of Foreclosures

Across USA agents and managers of animal shelters are reporting that in the cities and towns pets are falling in to the jaws of foreclosures. The shelters have put up House-Full notices. The human victims of foreclosures, shifting to rented accommodation are finding it difficult – in fact impossible – to find landlords willing to take in tenants with pets. Milked dry by foreclosures, the foreclosure victims hardly have the funds to support themselves – leave alone their four-footed pets.

The problem in California is most intense. It leads the nation in foreclosure numbers. The situation is similar in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Maine.

The Greatero Androsooggin Human Society has noted a slight increase in the number of abandoned pets. Steve Dostie of the society said that recently an individual came with five dogs because he could no longer afford to keep them because of his foreclosure troubles. The good news in Lewiston is that despite the economic slump although there have been many instances of abandoned pets, the number of adoptions are also up. One woman came to adopt a cat because her travelling days were over and now she could indulge in the luxury of keeping a pet.

But in Franklin County the story is different. Patty Dowell of Franklin County Animal Shelter notes that more and more animals keep coming. It is assumed that this is connected with the foreclosure crisis hitting REO houses and pockets. Dog abandonment numbers had lessened from 174 in 2007 to 146 in 2008. But more cats are being left behind. The number increased from 291 to 367. It seems to be related to winter when the food prices began to shoot up. Pet owners however, did not acknowledge in so many words that it was the economy that was doing the mischief. One would often come across the word ‘evicted.’ On the other hand adoptions numbers have dropped said Lovell, despite incentives like paying for one and taking two. But the applicants usually complain that they cannot afford to feed two animals.

In Oxford County it is the same scene. Responsible Pet Care at Oxford Hills has noted an increase in the number of cats coming in. In the past week 21 cats were taken in. Either people brought them or they were found abandoned. Previously the average was five cats in a week. By contrast adoptions have decreased. There were 30 offers in a month but that number has sharply declined.

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