Difficult Economic Times Affecting Pets

No doubt, these are difficult economic times. Perhaps some of the most challenging financial times since the Great Depression. Unemployment, higher prices, the cost of fuel: just a few of the factors that challenge us humans and our pet families nationwide on a daily basis.

While I'd rather not think about it, we need to recognize as foreclosures have increased, many animals lose their families as their owners lose their homes. As people in financial crisis find themselves moving to places where they cannot have pets, or they simply cannot afford to keep their pets, shelters across the nation are seeing an increase in the number of pets abandoned or relinquished.

As a result of this tragic crisis, HSUS and many other rescue groups are attempting to address these issues to help pet owners keep their pets. While it is devastating to lose your home, we do not want you to lose a beloved family member too.

So if you are a pet owner in financial trouble, we urge you to check with local shelters or rescue groups for information about temporary assistance (for example: some shelters and food banks can provide pet food for a short term, temporary foster care, and possibly lower-cost vet care in some situations.)

Additionally, the HSUS has a broad range of information on its website, including how to market yourself to a rental property manager if you're a pet owner, how to save money on pet care, and links to pet-friendly apartments. Go to hsus.org and type "foreclosure pets" into the search function for additional information. Please remember it is illegal and cruel to simply abandon a pet. If you cannot take care of them, at least bring them to your local shelter.

For the rest of us, what can we do?
Canine Element calls upon you to consider helping in any way possible. We've listed a few ways below and we also ask that you contact us with the ways you are making a difference! We would love to hear from you and your community.

Please make charitable contributions to your local shelters. If you cannot contribute financially, how about volunteering some time? Most shelters and rescue groups need volunteers for a variety of tasks.

Approach your local food bank and help them set up the "Pet Soup" program (see our post dated Tuesday - Oct. 14, 2008 and visit their site at http://tinyurl.com/4d8ngl)

Consider being a Foster Parent for a pet.

Approach your places of worship and ask that a pet fund be included for families in need.

Donate food, bedding, toys etc. to your local shelters.

If you are a landlord, please allow people to have pets. Work with your tenants so they can pay a pet deposit over time.

If your looking to adopt a pet, please adopt from your local shelter or rescue group.

If you are a pet owner, please spay and neuter your pet.

We wish all of you the best as we navigate through these troubling times.

News: Sad statistics!!

I just read my Real Simple magazine and found an alarming statistics. There are approximately 250,000 homeless pets available for adoption on PetFinder.com. Go give a pet a great home.

Info: North Alabama Adoption Shelters

Well, I "got a round tuit" this morning and posted some information on our site, CanineElement.com, that I've been meaning to post. Our long-term hope is to continually add other locations to this information. Hope you find it helpful.

http://www.canineelement.com/north_al_adoption_shelters.html

Happy holiday weekend!!!

Event: Bridgewater, NJ: Pet adoption day May 10, 2008

BRIDGEWATER -- Rawhide Rescue, a nonprofit dog rescue organization, will hold an adoption day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at PetSmart at Bridgewater Promenade Mall (across from Commerce Bank Ball Park). A table with items for sale to benefit the rescue will be located near the entrance of PetSmart. Learn more...

Also check out Rawhide Rescue's site at http://members.petfinder.com/~NJ235/

Adoption: Huntsville, AL puppy needs a home

Sweet puppy found in Huntsville Alabama on Saturday, May 3, 2008. She was left behind when a business closed after they were evicted. She was left penned up behind the building. She somehow got free, but is nothing but skin and bones. She was at least well treated though and is just adorable!