NEW YORK, January 30, 2008—As the subprime mortgage crisis has devastated homeowners and the economy, it has brought with it a troubling trend: pets abandoned after home foreclosures. The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) wants to remind pet owners that they have options when facing economic woes.

“It’s not unusual for animals to be left behind, even abandoned, during difficult times,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “The loss of a home is devastating and can only be made worse by having to also leave behind a beloved family pet. The ASPCA wants to remind pet owners that investigating alternatives in advance is the best way to make an informed decision.”

Recent studies suggest that home values could continue to drop by $1.2 trillion in 2008, creating far-reaching economic hardship and a likely recession. Many cities, such as Cleveland, Ohio, and Trenton, N.J., have already been particularly hard-hit by the collapse of the subprime market, with thousands of homes being abandoned. Bank employees and other lenders who enter these homes are often required to leave property—including pets—untouched until legal proceedings are complete. As a result, pets are not receiving the care they need.

“If pet owners anticipate foreclosure, we advise planning ahead to find a suitable solution for their cat or dog,” said Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, ASPCA Senior Director of Counseling Services. “Even though options in these cases are often limited and less than ideal, making an informed decision ahead of time is a much better than simply leaving the pet behind in an abandoned home.”

The ASPCA offers this advice for people who are faced with foreclosure and the loss of their pets:

Check with friends, family and neighbors to see if someone can provide temporary foster care for your pet until you get back on your feet. Agree to a specific time frame, and check on the pet regularly;

If you are moving into a rental property, make sure pets are allowed and get permission in advance—and in writing; and

Contact your local animal shelter, humane society or rescue group, in advance of your move, since many shelters limit their admissions to the number of animals they can adequately care for. If a shelter agrees to take in your pet, provide medical records, behavior information, and anything else that might assist shelter workers in finding your pet a new home.

“It is difficult and heartbreaking to lose a pet as a result of economic hardship,” said Sayres. “But pet parents may take comfort in knowing that their pet will be better off, if they plan ahead and keep their cat or dog’s well-being in mind.”

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.