Shelters taking in more dogs because of economy
Sometimes, during an economic slump, the dog house has to go, too.
While pet homes aren’t necessarily being foreclosed, many canine and feline owners are finding that the effects of near-recessionary conditions are making it impossible to keep their furry companions.
Adoption groups like locally-based Karma Rescue are reporting an increase in calls this summer from individuals who need to give up their cat or dog, admitting that personal finances are making it unfeasible to support an extra family member.
Foreclosures seem to be one of the biggest culprits, forcing owners to lose their pets when they go from a house to an apartment that doesn’t accept animals.
“We have had such an influx of phone calls,” Rande Levine, the founder and president of Karma Rescue, said. “When the foreclosure thing happened, the phone lit up and we got 10 calls a day whereas we used to get two or three.”
The overwhelming cases of relinquishments are putting shelters and rescue centers in an awkward position, turning down many requests because they can’t afford to board any more pets, but leaving them worried as to whether the animals will otherwise be abandoned.
Groups like Perfect Pet Rescue are not only constrained financially, but by a lack of space, which is a result of another impact from the economic downturn — fewer pet adoptions.
Perfect Pet Rescue holds several mobile adoption drives in the Los Angeles area every week, including on Montana Avenue on Saturdays.
“In the last year adoptions have been quite a bit slower and we don’t get as many calls from people adopting as we do now from people looking for homes,” Nancy Carter, a volunteer with the rescue group, said.
The problem isn’t unique to the Los Angeles area. Petfinder.com, which links prospective owners with adoptable pets, recently conducted a survey of its 11,300 members, the majority of which include animal shelters and rescue organizations, finding that 49 percent had pets given to them in the past six months because of home foreclosures. Approximately 57 percent said they are seeing a drop in adoptions.
The Los Angeles chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA-LA) is seeing more people giving up their pets not just because of the housing crisis, but due to financial hardship in general.
“Usually when people turn in their animals, they won’t tell you the reason because they’re embarrassed, saying they have allergies when they didn’t know what they were getting into” Madeline Bernstein, the president of SPCA-LA, said. “But people are saying they can’t afford it, they had to make cut backs and this had to be one of them.”
The organization was preparing to see fewer adoptions and more relinquishments shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks when the economy took a hit. Instead the opposite happened as more people adopted to seek companionship.
While adoption is far less expensive than buying from a pet store, fees could run in the $400 range. The SCPA-LA charges $125 for a dog, which includes spay or neutering and vaccination, and $100 for a cat. Some rescue groups, which operate on a nonprofit and volunteer basis, charge several hundred dollars more.
But Bernstein said it isn’t fees that are preventing people from adopting.
“There doesn’t seem to be any other reason other than the fact that there’s a lot of layoffs right now, gas prices are high, inflation is high and people are simply choosing what to do with discretionary funds,” Bernstein said.
Some shelters have remained relatively unaffected by the economy, including the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, which is operated by the Santa Monica Police Department.
Don Umber, the head of the animal shelter, said that adoption figures have remained stable from last year.
3C6,“There’s not an appreciable difference,” he said.
The Homestretch Greyhound Rescue and Adoption group has experienced a different twist, actually seeing more adoptions this summer because people are staying at home instead of vacationing.
The group, which is based in the Ventura area, is planning to hold an adoption drive at the Petsmart on Wilshire Boulevard on Saturday, Aug. 23.
“In the summer, people go on vacations and want to wait until the fall to adopt,” Barbara Davenport, the executive director of Homestretch, said. “They’re not doing anything this year and we actually have more adoptions than we normally do.”
The concern for many groups that have seen relinquishments is whether or not the animals will be abandoned on the street.
“If you can’t find a relative or close friend to help … then don’t open the door on the beach and let them go,” Bernstein said. “Turn them into a responsible shelter where they have a chance to find a new home.”
31E,SPCA-LA offers assistance for pet owners who are relocating to an apartment, the organization equipped with a list of pet-friendly units.
There are also ways that pet owners can keep their companions by simply cutting down on related expenses, such as personally giving a dog a bath instead of paying for a professional groomer, Bernstein said. Owners could also check for pet food made from wholesome ingredients, which tend to be healthy but don’t have the hefty price tag of boutique or premium brands.
“Remember that a pet is a companion, it’s a part of the family,” Bernstein said.
Jump hedline: Shelters taking in more dogs because of economy
Suggested pullquote: “Remember that a pet is a companion, it’s a part of the family.”
Madeline Bernstein
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2008. Read the original PDF.