Loss of Home Leads to Loss of Dogs

Loss of Home Leads to Loss of Dogs Losing their home to foreclosure was the first blow. The prospect of also losing their beloved dogs compounded the pain and worry for the Michigan family of four. Yet they had nowhere to go with Roxie, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, and Monty, a husky mix who, at 11 years old, was in the twilight of her life. The thought of separation at an already traumatic time was heartbreaking. In desperation, the owners began contacting local shelters and rescue groups, hoping to find a place for the pets they had once promised a “forever home.” Sadly, it felt like the only option for the displaced family that had already lost so much. Help for Roxie, Monty and Other Animal Victims of Foreclosure Pets caught in the foreclosure crisis are showing up in droves at the nation’s shelters, relinquished by owners who can no longer afford to care for them or who must seek new living arrangements that do not allow pets. And those are the “lucky” animals; some foreclosed homeowners are simply leaving their pets behind, locked inside deserted homes -- for days or even weeks -- without food or water. Fortunately for Roxie and Monty, a local shelter agreed to provide them with medical care and -- most importantly -- a temporary home until the family regains its footing and is united once again. This happy ending for Monty and Roxie wouldn’t be possible without donors like you who provide vital support for American Humane’s Foreclosure Pets Grants. These grants are awarded to shelters to help offset the cost of boarding, medical care and foster care for animal victims of foreclosure until they can be reclaimed by their owners or welcomed into new, loving homes -- and they are funded entirely by public donations. The Need Is Great -- and Growing Foreclosure rates in the U.S. are at record levels and -- ominously -- the crisis appears to be spreading to parts of the country that had previously been relatively untouched. The new spate of foreclosures seems to be driven by local unemployment rather than subprime loans, a trend that could worsen as job losses continue to rise. With 62 percent of U.S. households owning pets, and a total of 1.89 million homes expected to be foreclosed on in 2009, almost 1.2 million companion animals could be affected this year alone. Please donate today to help vulnerable pets who may be left behind or at a shelter as their families face the unthinkable. While Monty and Roxie wait for their family reunion, countless other pets will not be so fortunate when the economic crisis hits home for them. With your support for our Foreclosure Pets Grants, we can help more animals weather these difficult times.