The Foreclosure Victims No One Thought About

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Shout Outs

Foreclosure is bad for everyone involved, but what happens when the homeowner is forced out of their home and into an apartment that does not allow pets? Many homeowners from those living in the lower priced areas of town to the highest priced areas of the city, are leaving behind the most innocent foreclosure victims – The Pets.

Pets are often not allowed in apartment buildings. When the home is foreclosed on, the homeowner may have no place to take the family pet and thus leave the pet behind at the home. Some of the more caring homeowners will leave food and water out for the dogs, cats and other pets, but if the bank does not send someone into the home for a few weeks, the animal can be severely ill or dead by the time someone finds out about the abandonment.

It is illegal to leave a pet in an abandoned home. This is true even if the home is in foreclosure. The home owners name is one file and if the banks or real estate agents find an abandoned pet on the property, they will report the pet abuse to the local authorities in most cases.

Where Can the Pet Be taken?

If the homeowner is unable to take the pet to the new place of residence, a home needs to be found for that pet. Many cities and town have divisions of the ASPCA, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ASPCA will often take the pet from the homeowner and seek out a new home for the pet. There are some pets; however, the ASPCA will not take (in most cases.)

The ASPCA specializes in animals bred for handling. This includes dogs, cats and horses. However, there are some wild pets that the ASPCA may not choose to handle. These could include certain types of birds, lizards, snakes and spiders. Other exotic pets include alligators, wolves, monkeys, scorpions, hedgehogs and pot bellied pigs.

When in doubt, the home owner could list the animal for free in the local paper or other publication. With the popularity of online classified ads like Craigslist, the exotic pet should find a new home in no time at all and the homeowner will be free from obligation and legal ramifications.

No pet should be left in a home just because the bank foreclosed. The pet is the legal responsibility of the homeowner and should be treated like a member of the family.