Monterey County Pets Feel The Pain Of Economic Downturn
October 28th, 2008 Posted in Pet PicturesSalinas-area animal shelters are seeing a ripple effect from the bad economic times and rise in foreclosures affecting Monterey County residents.
Officials at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Monterey County and the Salinas Animal Shelter said Monday that more pet owners seem to be abandoning their animals, and the number of strays being brought in is up, too - phenomena that could be the result of the faltering economy.
A common occurrence these past several months, said one official, is an increase in the number of pets being dropped off by Realtors who find them abandoned in foreclosed homes.
The shelters are also seeing an increase in other pets such as horses. The SPCA averages about four to five horses a year. They have seen 26 come in so far this year.
The increase in strays and owner surrendered animals, Burnham said, has put pressure on the city-run service as they are already “extremely short-staffed.”
“It’s difficult and it’s definitely put a strain on our resources, supplies and budget,” she said. “We’re taking it one day at a time. We’re working a lot on promoting adoptions to place them and we’re working closely with rescue organizations, but there are also getting crunched because so many shelters are getting an increase.”
In keeping their pets best interest in mind, Burnham said, she advises owners in difficult financial situations looking to move into rented housing to do so early on as there are limited pet-friendly places. To those who are unable to keep their pets, she recommends asking someone to keep their pet temporarily or to surrender them to the shelter.
Tags: animal shelter, animal shelters, burnham, county residents, cruelty to animals, economic downturn, economic times, financial situations, foreclosed homes, monterey county, one day at a time, pet owners, rented housing, rescue organizations, ripple effect, salinas area, spcaRelated posts
Tags: animal shelter, animal shelters, burnham, county residents, cruelty to animals, economic downturn, economic times, financial situations, foreclosed homes, monterey county, one day at a time, pet owners, rented housing, rescue organizations, ripple effect, salinas area, spca
