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In this current economic climate, the animals are suffering just as much as their humans.  Millions of Americans are losing their homes due to foreclosure and their jobs from layoffs, which means the four-legged family members are suffering also.

Desperate families are abandoning their animals at shelters, which are already over populated.  It is definitely a trickle down effect.  As families begin to scale back in tough economic times, certain “things” have to go…including the family pet.  As shelters fill, they reach overpopulated levels and with fewer donations coming in, money is tighter than before.

Some animals aren’t even getting the courtesy of being dropped off somewhere where they can be fed and cared for, even for a short time.  Some animals are being dumped and abandoned, left to fend for themselves.

Even worse, some animals are being left at their homes, even after the owners are long gone due to foreclosure.  It may be days or sometimes weeks before anyone finds these animals and by then, the outlook is grim.

All of these animals now have a name:  foreclosure pets.

Abandoning animals is illegal in most states under anticruelty laws, but often those laws are not rigidly enforced.

But what can we do?

First and foremost…know your limit!  Don’t take on the responsibility of an animal if there is even a chance it is going to be a financial burden.  Think ahead and wait for that new family pet until you know you can take on the responsibility.

Second, if you are in a financial bind and find you have to give up your dog, cat or whatever, PLEASE take them to a shelter or no-kill facility.  Most domesticated animals don’t have the capacity to survive on their own for very long.  Cars, wild animals, and disease can take care of Fluffy pretty quickly in the great unknown.  And, don’t, and I repeat DON’T leave them locked up in a crate or in an empty home.  Have the decency to take them somewhere!  It is the least you can do.

Third, have your pet spayed or neutered!  I know I know…you hear this all the time, but spaying and neutering helps to cut down on the pet population and gives your pets a longer, healthier life.  Nothing is sadder than seeing a older female dog after just having had her fifth or sixth litter.  Have you seen those eyes?  That dog is exhausted, wore down and probably lacking good health from constantly being pregnant.  We don’t do that to our human counterparts, so why is it okay to do it to our canine and feline females?

There are people who can help.  Contact your local shelter, no-kill facility, or rescue group.  That’s what they are there for.  Don’t be embarrased about your situation.  Just know that you are doing something right for your pet(s).

There is also a website to help the animals:   www.nopawsleftbehind.org.  This website offers tips on finding appropriate shelters and foster families, grant information for overwhelmed shelters, and a “paw alert” bulletin system for those who found an abandoned pet.

The Humane Society of the United States has also started a grant program for nonprofit shelters and rescue groups, in hopes of easing the burden of their increased populations.

Pets are there for us through thick and thin, offering no judgment and complete trust.  Why can we not show them the same respect?

This blog was by Stacy Busch
www.buschpetproducts.com

One word is wrong in the title of this post.

Can you find it?

It is the word “should”.

There is no “should”.

There is no “right” way to feel.

There is no “right” way to act.

What is, is.

What you feel, is what you feel.

There is no more than that.

There is no judgment to your reaction.

If you cry, yell, are silent, laugh, focus on your work, get mad, turn towards friends, turn away, that is just the nature of what is. We all react differently and there is no “one” way. Just let it all be.

Be who you are. Be how you are. Do not allow it to mean anything about yourself. No judgment that you are good, that you are bad, you should feel this, you shouldn’t feel that.

Contributed by Alex in Welderland at www.custompeturns.com Twitter is @CustomPetUrns

Organizations exist all across the country that train and place service dogs in homes where they are needed. These dogs go through a rigorous screening process and many, many months of training. It’s easy to find a home that needs one of these dogs. But what happens when it’s one of these dogs who is in need of a home? What happens to a dog that doesn’t make it through the screening process? That’s where people like Michael and Diane Levine come in.

Back in 1990, the Levines were living in Rhode Island and were looking for an addition to their family. They’d always loved dogs, but didn’t want to raise a puppy. That’s when they heard about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit organization in New York that provides trained guide dogs for the visually impaired. They didn’t need a guide dog, but they were interested in adopting one of the program’s dropouts.

Dogs can be “released” from the program for many different reasons. According to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind website, the most common reason for a puppy to be released is that “the dog’s personality trait indicates a pup who seeks human support when under pressure.” Young adult dogs who have been through training may be released if they “show signs of worry in certain situations” or “appears to lack the fortitude for guide work.”

The Levines have welcomed three of these so-called “flunkies” into their home and couldn’t be happier. “I think raising a puppy is a lot of work,” says Levine. That’s why he thought this program was such a great idea. “They’re already trained,” he says, “They’re housebroken and they know basic commands.”

Taz was the first dog they adopted after being on a waiting list for about six months. Mandy was their next addition. She didn’t actually flunk out of the program, but rather, was released because of a medical condition. Although it was a minor problem, it is the policy of Guiding Eyes not to use guide dogs that have a health problem. A few years after they got Mandy, and after Taz had passed away, the Levines brought Jack into their home.

Levine says Jack flunked out of the program. “He was chasing squirrels or something like that,” he says with a grin. Levine says they would like to adopt another dog from a similar program eventually. The demand is so high for released dogs from Guiding Eyes that the anticipated wait for those who have already submitted applications is four years.

These released dogs make wonderful pets, and Mandy and Jack are proof of that. The adopted sister and brother are the best of friends, get to sleep on the bed and enjoy all the pleasures of being a dog. And Michael and Diane Levine get to enjoy all the pleasures that come with living with these two faithful companions. It is said that often the traits that make dogs unsuitable for “work” are the very traits that make them the perfect companion dogs.

Suzanne Jalot is a freelance writer and also the editor for Dog Living Magazine (www.doglivingmagazine.com). She can be contacted at editor@doglivingmagazine.com.