Abandoned Foreclosure Pets Get Care from Donors, Shelters

Abandoned foreclosure pets are still getting attention from animal shelters and donors across the country despite reports of overcrowding in animal shelters and rescue centers and declines in donations and funding.

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the animal shelter Grand Strand Humane Society recently received a passenger van from Laura Perneski who has been volunteering at the shelter for over a year. As Perneski cared for pets at the shelter, she saw the need for an outfitted van to transport animals for adoption and to promote more pet adoptions.

Perneski asked help from Seaboard Signs, Coastline Pets and other local businesses to customize the van and outfit it with cages, leashes, food bowls and water containers and a heating and air-conditioning system. Perneski said that the customized van was her biggest donation and that she hopes it can save a lot of animals.

Sandy Brown, head of Grand Strand, said that the van will step up the shelter’s roving adoption program, which brings pets to communities without animal shelters. The van will also be used to pick up donations, particularly large amounts of pet food from pet food makers.

Brown said that the Grand Strand shelter does not euthanize abandoned foreclosure pets and other pets unless they are dangerous or too ill to be saved, so it needs to step up adoptions to lessen the days animals stay in the shelter and therefore cut costs.

In Tinton Falls, New Jersey, the Leipzig family, owner of pet care center Dogs on the Farm and Cats Too in Middletown, held a pet food drive in Middletown elementary schools and through the family business and then delivered the donations to the Monmouth County branch of the Associated Humane Society of New Jersey. The Leipzigs said they have seen the need for more pet food donations as shelters are being overwhelmed by abandoned pets.

AHS director Bruce Sanchez said that while some animals are rescued from handyman specials, most are surrendered to the shelter by owners who can no longer afford to buy pet foods and pay veterinary bills.

Buddy Amato of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said that pet owners should reach out to their friends and other family members before bringing their animals to shelters overloaded with abandoned foreclosure pets. Even people involved in foreclosure investing can be approached for help. He also called on local veterinarians to provide care for needy pet owners for free or at discounted fees.

By Cassiano Travareli