As the bad news mounts for the state of the economy, the silent story that’s gaining momentum is the ripple effect it has on our companion animals. When more American families lose their homes to foreclosure, a new animal rescue emergency is arising… more and more dogs and cats are pouring into shelters from families who can no longer afford to keep them, or their new scaled down accommodations do not welcome them.

Over 800,000 families have lost their homes in the last year alone due to foreclosure.
An estimate from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals puts the number of family pets at risk of becoming homeless due to the economic downturn between 500,000 and 1 million cats and dogs.

“According to national financial estimates, approximately 1 in 171 homes in the United States is in danger of foreclosure due to the subprime mortgage crisis,” Zawistowski said in a statement released by the ASPCA in February. “And considering that approximately 63 percent of U.S. households have at least one pet-plus, hundreds of thousands of pets are in danger of being abandoned or relinquished to animal shelters across the country.”

Rescue workers know that for many homeless dogs, the question is a matter of when, not if they are put down. “Owner surrenders don’t have a chance,” one dog rescue worker said, referring to dogs and cats that are given up by their owners. If the owner turns in the pet, no one’s waiting to see if someone will come to claim the animal. He’s not being searched for. “If an owner brings in to a shelter their cat or dog, they are often put down immediately.” Most owners probably think it’s just the opposite.

According to another shelter worker, “We used to see more surrenders at specific times of the year. Two distinct spikes: “There’s the Christmas dumping season, and then there’s the lead up to the summer-vacation season. Right now it’s still as strong as the holidays and its months later.

How can you help? Here’s a couple of tips from the ASPCA:

1.    If you’re facing foreclosure, try to find someone to temporarily foster, or adopt your dog. Family, friends, neighbors and people at work may surprise you with kindness.

2.    Contact dog rescue agencies in your area to see if they can help re-home your pet.

3.    Try to find a no-kill shelter if you have to turn in your pet. Remember, owner surrenders are the first to be put down generally. It’s your pets life that’s on the line.

4.    Advertise in your local newspapers classified pet section and online at sites like Petfinders.com. Don’t advertise your dog for “free” as they can end up in testing labs or dog fighting pens. When someone calls ask lots of  questions. Ask where the dog will live, and what would be a reason to give up a dog.

5.    Ask your veterinarian for suggestions. They know lots of dog and cat owners, and may know someone looking for a new pet. Never dump your dog at the office in a crate. This can be unsafe as he could get out or suffer from dehydration or temperature changes before anyone notices him/her.

6.    See if the local Animal Control Center will accept your dog or cat and assist you in finding a new home.

Foreclosures are just one reason dogs and cats end up at area shelters. Often dogs end up at the pound or on the side of the road because their owners took their eyes off them for a minute or two. Or “Fluffy” skipped out the front door when the mailman or guests arrived. Without a fence or proper electronic containment system your pet could end up homeless too.

Dogs are as much of a privilege as they are a responsibility. At the very least we owe them food, shelter and protection from the hazards our human dominated environment. Set a containment policy at your home.  It is a matter of life and death that you have a secure method of keeping your dog on your property.  Check your fence for spots your dog could chew through or dig under. If your yard is not fenced, you can consider a large dog pulley run or electronic fencing. If your property is not fenced in some way, stress to everyone in the family that the dog must be leashed at all times when taken outside.