Few Steps From Home Animal Rescue INC.
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Economy and pets
Pet owners are feeling the pinch of the economy, Americans are giving up their dogs and cats to animal shelters/rescues in growing numbers as the emotional bonds between people and pets get tested by economic ones.
The population growth at animal shelters shows how the weak economy is also shrinking the pool of potential adopters. And it coincides with a drop-off in government funding and charitable donations.
The effect has been cramped quarters for dogs and cats, a faster rate of shelters euthanizing animals and some shelters turning away people looking to surrender pets, according to interviews with several shelters and animal advocates. Of the estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats sent to animal shelters every year, half are euthanized and the rest adopted, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
It’s definitely discouraging, one major goal is to develop and celebrate the bond between people and animals. It’s so tragic when families reach a point when they can’t afford to care for their pets.
A 23-year-old Mel Bail of Worcester, Mass., had begun feeding leftovers from family meals to her three cats — before recently deciding to give them up. With two children, a husband on disability and a difficult job search of her own.
“When I couldn’t pay my gas bill, I knew I had to find another home for the cats,” Bail said, and it wasn’t easy to find a shelter for them and had to turn to online classified ads to find homes for them.
Although there is no nationwide data being collected on the reasons dogs and cats are being abandoned by their owners, but shelter managers and advocates for animals say the trend is undeniable.
“People are embarrassed to admit that’s why they’re giving up their pets,” said Betsy McFarland, the Humane Society’s director of communications for companion animals.
A recent poll found that one in seven owners nationwide reported reduced spending on their pets during the past year’s recession. Of those cutting back, more than a quarter said they have seriously considered giving up their pet.
The average annual cost of owning a dog is about $1,400, while the average annual cost of a cat is about $1,000, according to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association. The survey suggests there are some 231 million pets — excluding fish — in more than 71 million homes in America.
It is really sad, because for these people, it is not an excuse. They are absolutely stuck, and they need to downsize and there is no one to take the pets. You can tell these have been much-loved pets.
“When it came down to whether I was going to charge food for the month of September or give medicine to my cat, that was a clear decision for me,” Farrell-Talbot said. “It was horrible. It killed us.”
The economy is affecting animal shelters. More people are surrendering their animals or abandoning them in homes and yards when their homes are foreclosed and they move. If you are having economic troubles and cannot keep your pet DON'T JUST LEAVE THEM . The more the shelter knows about your pet the easier it is to find them a new home. Potential adopters want information....they don't want a mystery dog or cat. Yes, these mystery animals do get adopted but not as fast as an animal who has a history we can share with potential adopters. The New York Times ran an article in May about this devastating problem, you can read the full article below.
Shelter workers are inundated with impounds now. Everyone is so full including animal controls, and rescues all over the USA.
NY TIMES ARTICLE
Published: May 11, 2008
ON Valentine’s Day, a loved one named Riley found himself being led back into the same noisy institutional building where he was also known as No. 08-447. The floppy-eared 2 ½-year-old Rottweiler-Doberman pinscher mix had been adopted as a puppy a year earlier from the Stamford Animal Care and Control municipal shelter.
SAVED Riley was adopted from a Stamford shelter where he was left when his former owners lost their home to foreclosure.
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Riley’s return wasn’t a behavioral issue; according to Linda Hollywood, Stamford’s animal control officer, he is a sweet, easygoing dog who gets along well with other animals and children.
“He was clearly well cared for and loved by this family,” Ms. Hollywood said. “But their home had just gone into foreclosure, and they were unable to find an apartment that would permit pets. In general, only the more expensive rentals allow them.”
Riley could be a poster pup for a growing problem at animal shelters nationwide and in Connecticut: pets given up for adoption or abandoned when their owners lose homes owing to foreclosure or tough economic times.
The extent of the problem is impossible to quantify, because some people merely abandon pets on the street or decline to give reasons for surrendering them to shelters. But pets left homeless are putting such a strain on shelters that the Humane Society of the United States has begun a nationwide Foreclosure Pets Grant Program to help animal control agencies, shelters and pet owners cope.
“We find kittens in the mailbox, dogs tied to our dumpster,” Ms. Hollywood said. “Some people find it too upsetting to come in. But for care and adoption purposes, we’d at least like to know the animal’s age and vaccination history — whether it gets along with other dogs or cats.”
The more a shelter knows about an animal, Ms. Hollywood, the easier it is to find a home for it.
Adrienne Stafford, shelter director at PAWS, a privately run shelter in Norwalk, said it has noticed a slight increase in people giving loss of home as a reason for giving up a pet. “We’re also getting more calls from folks worried that they can’t afford to keep their pets.”
Ms. Stafford and the volunteers at PAWS collect donations of food and supplies to help, along with information on financial options, such as no-interest medical care credit cards that can help owners pay veterinary bills over time.
Municipal shelters must accept surrendered pets, whenever they arrive.
“It’s just horrible now — every day,” said Jimmy Gonzalez, animal control officer for Bridgeport. “But honestly, it’s always bad here.” He said that his shelter is the busiest in the state, averaging 5 to 10 “owner releases” a day, and that those numbers have stayed fairly steady over the last few years.
Mr. Gonzalez said that half of his shelter’s population was abandoned cruelly and indifferently, on the streets or in vacated dwellings. But lately, during his intake interviews with people bringing in their pets, he has seen more signs of owners feeling guilty about releases attributed to economic problems.
“People are coming out and saying that they’re losing their homes and can’t keep the pet,” he said. “It’s such a big problem now, they seem to feel able to tell you the exact reason, beyond a simple ‘I’m moving.’ ”
Even the owners showing the steeliest resolve as they fill out the paperwork have difficulty with the questions Mr. Gonzalez gently asks to make sure they want to leave the pet behind. “Usually, they break down,” he said. “Or I find them outside in the back afterward, crying. Really, they’ve just given up a child. I hate to see that pain. I hate to lead the pet away. You can’t imagine the stress in this job.”
Mr. Gonzalez and his staff of three must manage adoptions, intake and care for a capacity of 40 dogs and 25 cats (soon to be increased to 80 dogs and 52 cats in a new facility, without any growth in the staff). He said that nearly every day, his team arrives at work to find dogs tied to the fence outside. They field constant calls from panicked landlords and real estate agents. “They’ll send someone in to clean a just-vacated apartment or home and find five cats or three pit bulls inside.”
Hope does spring eternal, yipping and purring, within the cages. “Adoptions are high here,” Mr. Gonzalez said. “Yesterday, 62 people came in to look, and we had 13 adoptions.” Still, as the animals continue to arrive, he feels as if he’s trying to plug an ever-weakening dike. “It’s an awful thing to see. I’ve had tough gang bangers come in to look around and go, ‘Man, is it that bad out there?’ ”
The Internet has been a boon to shelters and rescue groups trying to place animals. And it was a mouse click that changed Riley’s luck. In Wethersfield, Michael Morreale, the owner of a floor covering company, found Riley’s photo and description on Petfinder.com. He drove to Stamford with Max, the family Doberman, to see how the two might get along.
“I paid $1,000 for Max,” Mr. Morreale said. “He’s a great dog. But I’ve always felt that guys like Riley should have a chance, too.”
Max and Riley hit it off, and off they went to a comfortable home with a big fenced yard; two eager children, Alexa, 9, and Nicholas, 15; and Mr. Morreale and his wife, Annamarie.
“Riley has been a total gentleman from day one,” Mr. Morreale said. “He’s great with the kids, and we often find him in my daughter’s room. He seems to find a lot of comfort there. It makes me think there was another little girl who loved him.”
The name and cellphone number of Riley’s former family cannot be disclosed by the shelter. The family did not respond to an interview request, relayed to them by Ms. Hollywood.
“I think they’re still in Stamford,” she said. “We know Riley’s had a very happy landing. I wish we could be as certain about that family.”
Pet owners look for low-cost veterinarian care
by Paul R. Kopenkoskey | The Grand Rapids Press
Monday March 17, 2008, 1:45 PM
When you're standing in front of your veterinarian and being told a few hundred dollars will keep Fido or Miss Kitty healthy, it's hard not to say yes.
Then again, when you've been laid off from your job and have had to cut your family's grocery budget, as many have in West Michigan, it's hard not to say no.
Dora Kovach's income took a nose-dive when she was laid off nearly three years ago, requiring her to find a lower-cost source for her cats' health care.
The Plainfield Township woman said she found it at the Kent County Humane Society in Walker, where vaccination, spay and neuter programs are provided to low-income pet owners who want to stay one step ahead of costly vet bills.
Seeking alternatives
Besides having people seek out low-cost vet services, the sluggish state economy also is resulting in the Kent County Humane Society seeing a steady increase of pet owners relinquishing their animals, said Mark Petz, the Society's development and marketing director.
Owners have specific reasons, Petz said. They're letting go of their pets because they cannot care for them anymore, they need to move where animals are not allowed, they're being evicted for inability to pay their mortgage or rent and they're unemployed.
Numbers help tell the story. From March 2005 to February 2006, 2,998 owners gave their animals to the Humane Society.
A year later (March 2006 to February 2007), that number swelled to 4,388. It jumped to 4,872 between March 2007 and February 2008.
"The overall increase in the last few years can be attributed to the economy in the state and this region," Petz said. "And part of it is we'd like to think we're doing a better job with community relations."
Preventive measures
Here are some proactive ways to avoid making a medical trip to the veterinarian:
• Keep your animal inside the house, fenced inside the yard or on a leash when it is outside to avoid the pet getting struck by a vehicle.
• With Easter approaching, remember lilies are toxic if cats eat them.
• Keep dogs away from chocolate, it can be fatal. Warning signs they've eaten it include vomiting and diarrhea.
• Don't leave medications where a pet could get into them; they could trigger a reaction.
• Keep a pet's nails trimmed, wipe out its ears to prevent infection and bathe and trim its fur regularly to prevent potential medical problems. Long, matted hair can lead to skin infections.
SOURCE: Animal Emergency Hospital, Plainfield Township, Rockford Animal Hospital
Ottawa County's Harbor Humane Society hasn't seen the increase in owners giving up their pets, but it has charted a dramatic rise in demand for its low-income spay/neuter program, said development director Heidi Yates.
In the program's inaugural year, the animal shelter issued $15,500 in vouchers. For the first two months of this year, that number already has escalated to nearly $14,000, Yates said.
"I'm sure a lot of it is due to the economic times," she said.
The Kent County Humane Society's program for low-income people is helping to stretch Kovach's husband Thomas' paycheck that much further.
"We don't need public assistance," Kovach said, "but there is, I think, a new low-income group that is expanding a lot faster than we're ready for."
Pet owners may choose to purchase the services individually or as a complete package for their dog or cat, said Karen Terpstra, KCHS executive director.
Owners are asked to sign a waiver confirming they cannot afford regular trips to a veterinarian's office for vaccinations and care, said Jennifer Self, Humane Society's education coordinator.
"We don't want to replace a relationship with a veterinarian, because if something were to happen and the animal needed emergency care, we're not able to do that," Self said.
The Humane Society primarily offers spay and neuter services in February, with overflow demand handled later in the year or referred to the Community Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership in Kentwood, Petz said.
Taking folks at their word
C-SNIP maintains a no-questions-asked policy, said Elaine Sterrett Isely, president of the organization's board.
"If someone says they need our services, we don't question them," Sterrett Isely said.
"We're there for people who can't afford a veterinarian, but we take people at their word."
Pet owners who take a few proactive steps can avoid a visit to an animal doctor, said Dr. Carol Good, veterinarian at the Rockford Animal Hospital, 9937 Northland Drive NE.
"Probably the best thing people can do is give their pet the best nutrition that fits their budget," Good said.
"The better quality diets have things added in, like natural supplements for joint health, increased immune systems and increase brain functions."
Should a pet get hit by a vehicle, a radiograph and painkillers alone can cost a pet owner $1,000 to $1,800, said Dr. Mark Hoogerhyde, a veterinarian at the Animal Emergency Hospital in Plainfield Township.
Pet owners who wince at the cost of the hospital's services are offered various price options.
"We always offer the best first, and if they can't do all of those diagnostic or treatments, it may take three or four estimates to figure out what we can or can't do," Hoogerhyde said.
Just trying to determine why a dog is vomiting averages $400, Hoogerhyde said.
Treating life-threatening ailments such as a dog suffering from a twisted stomach can average $2,500 to $3,000.
Email YourLife: yourlife@grpress.com
Low-cost care options
Here are local low-cost care options:
• The Humane Society offers a low-cost vaccination clinic for dogs and cats on Mondays by appointment. Vaccinations include feline/canine distemper, feline/canine rabies vaccination and canine bordatella. Tests include feline felv/FIV for feline leukemia and feline HIV and canine heartworm testing. The vaccinations and tests cost $50 for dogs and cats. Call 453-8900, ext. 222.
• Community Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership in Kentwood charges $55 for dogs, regardless of gender or size, and $45 for female cats and $35 for male felines. That includes an overnight stay if the surgery is done Monday through Thursday. Call 455-8220.
• At Ottawa County's Harbor Humane Society in West Olive, vouchers are issued to low-income families who then select a veterinarian on a list the society maintains. The service includes the first round of vaccinations, dewormer and microchip. Dogs receive a heartworm test and cats are tested for leukemia and feline HIV. Call 399-2119.
Having trouble paying for veterinary care?
Here are some options to consider:
• Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan.
• Contact your local shelter. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. Go to Pets911.com and enter your ZIP code for a list.
I• f you have a specific breed of dog, contact the National Club for that breed. In some cases, these clubs offer a veterinary financial assistance fund.
• Ask your veterinarian to submit an assistance request to the American Animal Hospital Association "Helping Pets Fund." In order to qualify, your animal hospital must be AAHA accredited. To find an AAHA accredited hospital in your area, visit Pets911.com.
• Consider taking on a part-time job or temping.
SOURCE: The Humane Society of the United States
When you begin your apartment search for a pet-friendly rental, it is essential to be prepared. Many apartment buildings do not allow pets so you will have to do a little more work than the average renter to find an apartment.
Some apartments are dog-friendly some are cat-friendly and some allow both. Some apartments have restrictions on certain breeds or the size of dogs. Check out the MyNewPlace Blog for articles on pet-friendly cities and apartments.
The market is a bit more competitive for pet-friendly apartments, so it is of the utmost importance to be prepared. In addition to getting organized in the way that our article Preparing your Apartment Search in our apartment guide advises, there are other steps that you can take to make sure that you and your dog, cat or other animal friend will find an apartment.
Pet Friendly Apartments for Rent http://www.mynewplace.com/ep/pet-friendly-apartments
Your pet friendly apartment search just became easier. MyNewPlace can help you find the perfect apartment rental that allows a dog or cat!
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/renting_with_pets_the_online_resource_for_rental_managers_and_pet_owners/index.html
Renting With Pets: The Online Resource for Rental Managers and Pet Owners
How a Pets-Allowed Policy Can Work for Rental Managers
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/renting_with_pets_the_online_resource_for_rental_managers_and_pet_owners/how_a_petsallowed_policy_can_work_for_rental_managers/
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/renting_with_pets_the_online_resource_for_rental_managers_and_pet_owners/renting_with_pets_booklets.html
Renting with Pets Booklets
