The South Euclid Humane Society in South Euclid, Ohio has reported that an increased number of pets have been affected by foreclosures in the area, including abandoned rabbits, cats, dogs and other domestic animals. According to the Society, a big number of foreclosed homeowners are leaving their pets behind as they were forced to leave their homes.
Operators of local shelters for animals have revealed that the condition of pets in the past two years has gotten worse. They stated that financial troubles have led to most homeowners doing a cruel thing like leaving their pets behind without any provision for their care. In response to the growing problem of abandoned foreclosure pets, the South Euclid Humane Society has stepped up its efforts of finding permanent homes and owners for the abandoned animals.
Officials at the society have stated that the problem is getting somewhat out of control. According to them, there have been significant increases in the number of abandoned animals and the issue is being made worse by the fact that, as the number of foreclosed homes for sale also escalates, the number of people willing or able to adopt these homeless animals has become fewer.
Workers at shelters for animals in the area have a lot of sad stories about these homeless pets. One of them recounted finding an abandoned dog chained to someone else’s front yard, right in front of a for-sale sign. There was also a story about a real property agent who found a cat left in a garage without water or food. The agent found the cat while trying to sell the house where the cat was imprisoned. The cat was taken to a veterinarian and is now in the care of the Humane Society.
The sad stories of pets left behind by their owners are not exclusive to cats, some property agents and animal shelter volunteers have also come across abandoned rabbits and dogs. According to the office of the local Animal Warden, some dogs are housed in the South Euclid police station in a holding room. However, this shelter is temporary as they can only stay there for three days. Beyond that time, the dogs should be fetched by their owner or the Humane Society will have to find someone who can adopt them.
The job of the Animal Warden has also expanded, with the areas of University Heights and Richmond Heights being added to the warden’s area of care. Workers at the Animal Warden’s office reported that the Warden is now covering more cities and finding more homeless animals, with very few options on where to take them.
Meanwhile the Humane Society has called on the community for help by asking bank officials or real estate agents who visit foreclosed houses to give the Society a call whenever they found any pet left behind in the foreclosed premises. Society volunteers stated that these individuals have provided significant assistance since they are the ones allowed inside a foreclosed property before anyone else. Most agents and bank officials have reported finding a variety of furry friends left behind in foreclosed houses, including abandoned rabbits, dogs and cats.
