The NAPRP Blog

Feb 6

Written by: NAPRP Admin
2/6/2009 5:54 AM

Every week, I talk to someone at a shelter or rescue for my radio show. Many people are seeing more incoming animals because owners can no longer afford to care for their pets. At the same time, adoption statistics have dropped in some areas. I talked to someone this week who said that this is the worst year she can remember in more than 30 years of doing rescue.

Although "moving" has always been one of the top reasons people give up pets, now many pets are victims of foreclosure too.  Latte, the star of another one of my recent radio shows was taken in by a rescue group after his owners simply left him alone in the house when it was foreclosed upon.

In some areas, shelters and rescues are stepping up to keep pets in their homes. If you aren't already, you may want to consider instituting a new outreach program. If you receive extra donated food, you can either distribute it to people in need yourself, or work with your local food bank. It's a lot less expensive to lose a bit of dog chow now, than it is to take in another critter later.

If your organization itself is struggling, you may want to get in touch with the Humane Society of the United States. They have set up a  Foreclosure and Financial Crisis Pet Fund, which offers grants to animal shelters and rescue groups so they can launch or expand local programs to help people in danger of surrendering their pets for financial reasons.

The good news is that during tough times, people remember acts of kindness. Many good pet owners are desperate for ways to keep their pets. If you can help these people, you'll be rewarded with good karma and maybe even a few opportunities for good publicity too.

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