Imagine moving and leaving your dog or cat behind to fend for itself. That situation is the case for many pets across the nation, with the rise in foreclosed homes due to the real estate crisis.

The Humane Society of the United States is so concerned about the influx of reports of abandoned pets, it has launched a grant program to aid shelters and organizations dealing with the increase in animals.

“It’s abandonment. It’s cruel and, in most places, probably illegal,” said Nancy Peterson, issues specialist for the Humane Society. “What we’re hoping is that people will really try and find a way to keep their pet responsibly, find a responsible home for them or take it to a local animal shelter.”

The Humane Society’s foreclosure fund will administer grants to animal shelters, rescue groups and animal control agencies to help establish and expand existing programs that assist families in caring for pets during economically tough times. Grants will range from $500 to $2,000.

“The fund was seeded with $15,000 from the Humane Society, and we are hoping that private individuals, companies and organizations will donate so that we can continue to help,” Peterson said.

Aileen Gabbey, executive director of the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the society haven’t seen an influx of abandoned pets lately but is prepared in case something like that does happen. “When the housing market was taking a turn for the worse, we were just starting our new re-homing program, which I think ended up being really good timing.”

The SPCA’s re-homing program offers training, behavioral advice and options for pet-friendly housing for owners who find themselves unable to care for their pets anymore.

“Most people get their pets from friends or family, so we hope that by guiding folks through the process, the pets find a good, new home,” Gabbey said.

The Humane Society hopes that people considering getting a pet check their local shelters first. “With an increase of animals coming to the shelter, it’s a great time to adopt,” Peterson said. “If you’ve done your homework, if you are ready, if you have the finances and are able to care for a pet responsibly, then please adopt.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

>> Humane Society of the United State’s Foreclosure Fund

>> Maryland SPCA’s re-homing program

ecampbell@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

4:26 PM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Reader said:
To our great leaders: Eminant domain the banks and seize foreclosures, lower the criteria for FHA and assistance or you will see a serious deficit. Allan Greenspan is no rocket scientist. Hold the banks accountable along with BGE. We all fall down rich or poor. Put class and race in the government who live off the dole of the people. Tax the drug dealers out of their homes.

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8:41 AM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Examiner Reader said:
How do you buy a foreclosure?

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5:43 AM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Examiner Reader said:
Help me understand; what was the purpose of this foreclosure moratorium? Was it to keep people who could never have afforded to make a single honest payment for their home in the home for another glorious Maryland Spring. If the purpose was to have these struggling homeowners refinance themselves out of their crisis, then the Gov and Idiotslature should have checked to see if conditions were right and the pieces were in place to accomplish that goal. They are not. While prime interest rates have dropped, the drop is not reflected in home loan rates. While FHA has raised their maximums and lowered their credit score requirements, they have instututed a rule making it impossible to go FHA if a person has been late on a payment within a year. Uuuuh...aren't those the people needing help? All this while people are getting further upside down in their loans. When the moratorium comes off expect a tidal wave of foreclosures to wash over Maryland taking billions in equity along with it.

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12:05 PM MST on Sun., May. 11, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Reader said:
One way to get rid of drug addicts is to rent your home before foreclosure to the worst people you can find and screw the neighborhood. Get back at Government for not loving thy neighbor. When crime increases, who will they blame.

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6:21 AM MST on Sat., May. 10, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Examiner Reader said:
BREAKING NEWS: If you borrow money from a bank, you have to pay it back. If you don't, the bank will recover the balance owed by selling the property. It's a practice that has allowed millions to experience the American dream of home ownership. If you borrow money to gamble, like buying too much house and hoping the market will increase the value, sometimes you loose. Don't blame other for the risks you take.

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7:29 AM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Examiner Reader said:
Stricter regulation will simply mean fewer unqualified people owning homes which is a good thing. The bad thing is, with rising tax assessments, they won't be able to afford to rent from people who can qualify for a real mortgage and will thus be further forced to suckle from the government teat (i.e. Section 8 housing). There is no easy solution, but it is clear that those who took subprime loans got something for close to nothing and are now reaping what they've sown. I have no sympathy for those who could not understand the most basic financial parameters of home ownership or did not seek impartial help from others clearly smarter than them before signing the loan papers.

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6:58 AM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Future VA Resident said:
While I can sympathise with the army vet who had a rotten floor that inspectors missed, that's a risk of home ownership and you don't deserve anything...To the other lady who's east Bmore Home went from 1662 to 2200, I wonder what she bought with the equity she most definetly took when she refinanced into an adjustable loan? What the new car isn't helping you make your payments...If you've been makeing the same salary for 15 years then you need to look for a 2nd job before you come demanding that I give you my tax dollars...GROW UP FOLKS, you entered into legally binding contracts now you have to live with the choices you've made...NOT MY PROBLEM!

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6:32 AM MST on Fri., May. 9, 2008 re: "Foreclosure furor remains high in area"

Examiner Reader said:
Home ownership is a privilege. It is not a right. I have no sympathy for anyone who took out subprime mortgages. We financially responsible citizens should not have to pay for the stupidity and outright greed of others. AMK

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10:58 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "Senate OKs bill to tackle housing woes"

Examiner Reader said:
now they have to deceide on if they are going tackle something thats not going to be tackled now or ever.

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12:59 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "Daly City foreclosure rate highest in county"

DC-Resident. said:
Categorizing the foreclosures in Daly City as a "minority" problem is totally nonsensical. Filipinos and Hispanics make up the majority, so it's completely logical that they make up most of the foreclosures. Around a quarter of the city is white, and it's likely that many of those that are homeowners bought in during the 60s-70s. Little known fact these days: The original Daly City home owners associations were highly discriminatory and pressured home owners to not even associate with non-whites, much less sell their homes to them, for fear it would damage property values. How times have changed very quickly...

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6:01 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "Montgomery County mulls buying area�s foreclosed homes"

Robin Ficker Broker Robin Realty said:
So we are getting the largest property tax increase in 20 years, which is causing foreclosures, to buy homes which are being foreclosed on. The county will be competing against private individuals who are trying to buy these homes. Mark Fennel who is running for County Council in the April 15, May 13 special election, is opposed to the largest property tax increase in 20 years and has promised to stick to the charter property tax limit. Don Praisner, his 76 yeard old opponent is in favor of the largest property tax increase in 20 years and had promised to exceed the charter property tax limit. Vote for Mark Fennel for County Council and Property Tax Relief!

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1:05 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "Montgomery County foreclosures up about 85 percent from last year"

Robin Ficker Broker Robin Realty said:
The Montgomery County Government is part of the problem, not the solution. County Executive Leggett and County Council President Knapp want to give us the biggest property tax increase in 20 years. This will drive hundreds more into foreclosure.

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9:42 AM MST on Mon., Mar. 31, 2008 re: "Daly City foreclosure rate highest in county"

TbytheSea said:
All the more reason immigrants should learn to speak English. I do not feel it is anyones responsibility to bail people out of their loans, immigrant or not. Funny to think that if these people that had these types of loans had made $30,000 on thier homes they sure wouldn't be complaining now. The American Dream sometimes comes with risks......

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5:30 AM MST on Sat., Mar. 29, 2008 re: "Connolly proposes to buy foreclosures, sell as affordable �work force� housing"

Examiner Reader said:
Connolly has created a welfare state in Fairfax County. He loves using other people's money for his LIBERAL causes. As more illegals move to Fairfax Country, Connelly buys their votes with more and more programs. Time for Connolly to join the US Congress since he has now proven he is a left wing LIBERAL who will fit in nicely in Washington, DC., the welfare capital of the USA.

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5:47 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Connolly proposes to buy foreclosures, sell as affordable �work force� housing"

Examiner Reader said:
Connolly should buy houses at his expense, not tax payers. As a Fed employee scraping along in Fairfax County I find this disgusting

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10:56 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Connolly proposes to buy foreclosures, sell as affordable �work force� housing"

Examiner Reader said:
So let me see if I have this right. For those of us scrapping along and saving to try and afford a house, we might actually be able to afford one conveniently in Fairfax now because of the down turn in the housing market. Meaning we can stop spending an extra hour every day in our cars commuting, wasting more money on gas and polluting the environment. But no. Wait. Now this guy is going to buy up all the affordable housing. Creating less of a supply of houses. Which will end up in raising overall housing prices in Fairfax. Of course those of us struggling will once again be out of luck because we'll all make too much money to afford. That's right. Help out the rich. Give more money to those to lazy and unwilling to work (or just living here illegally) and fund it all on the middle class who spend hours every day because the only home they can afford is a 1 room condo 30 miles from where they work. He lost my vote just for *thinking* of doing this.

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10:02 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Connolly proposes to buy foreclosures, sell as affordable �work force� housing"

Reader said:
Pat Herrity makes sense on this issue...we need more like him!

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9:58 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Connolly proposes to buy foreclosures, sell as affordable �work force� housing"

Examiner Reader said:
Don't pay your employees and spend the $$$ on houses...who is stearing the ship? OH yea no one!!!

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7:10 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 28, 2008 re: "Connolly proposes to buy foreclosures, sell as affordable �work force� housing"

Examiner Reader said:
Since when is it the county's job to enter the housing market as a broker/dealer? Tax revenue is projected to be down, but these clown Democrats on the BoS are proposing adding things to buy (houses) and staffing yet more agencies (strike force teams)? The logic escapes me, but that's probably why I'm not a politician.

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9:44 AM MST on Sun., Mar. 2, 2008 re: "Three Md. areas included in list of the hardest hit by foreclosures"

Examiner Reader said:
Bethesda foreclosures, you poor things!

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8:11 PM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 re: "Maryland's foreclosure strategy targets mortgage-loan service response"

Examiner Reader said:
govt did not lend money to borrowers with no income, no job, and no assets-Wall Street lenders did that. Lack of real enforcement of laws, and fudiciary duty to investors, and pure greed caused lenders to loan and borrowers to borrow money they could not pay back. If lenders based their loans on collateral, character, and credit ( the 3 C's), then these loans would not have gone bad. Lenders are not forced to lend money to unqualified borrowers. Redlining is about arbritary lending by other reasons than the basics (the 3 C's). Leave to the pundits to blame govt lending laws, but lending in the City or poor areas should still be based on the basics ( 3 C's ). Most banks regulated by Federal Reserve Board are doing fine, and they will survive this mess. Most borrowers won't because the Market has already left them high and dry. I am talking about victims of outright fraud and negligence, and by the way this happens in the counties also, and not just to minorities.

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10:32 AM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 re: "Maryland's foreclosure strategy targets mortgage-loan service response"

Examiner Reader said:
Politicians threaten lenders who red line neighborhoods as economic protection. With redlining banned, government encourages unqualified people to buy a home they can't afford by borrowing money than they can pay back using sub-prime loans; and when they can�t make the payments they whine for the same government that got them into trouble to seize money from other people who have been more responsible to bail them out. What does this tell you about government? What does it tell you about the whiners? What has happened to the concept of personal responsibility?

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7:28 AM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 re: "Maryland's foreclosure strategy targets loan servicers"

Examiner Reader said:
If thes loans were not given ,I think everyone would be crying discrimination.People in the city were not the only ones who took these loans. Many people were hoping the price of housing would go up before this crunch occurred. What makes the crunch even worst in MD is the high taxes and closing on these properties. Perhaps O'Malley can refung these fees to help offset the problem instead of his tax and spend policy.

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3:19 AM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 re: "State�s foreclosure strategy targets loan servicers"

avid reader said:
I guess O'Malley will blame this on Ehrlich too. Same old crap.

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7:29 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 5, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
Conscious Reader: your point is lost on those who LIVE in baltimore city, as the leaders here are only targeting the lenders for taking advantage of African Americans. Sorta blows a hole right through your rant. Otherwise I agree with a lot of your sentiment.

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7:52 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
Let pretend I'm a lender. You walk into my office with all your papperwork, and I determine that you're credit-worthy. I ask you where the property is, and you say Baltimore City. I say, "thanks for stopping by, and please help yourself to a free tote bag on your way out". "Sorry we can't help you, but good luck".

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2:18 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
Dunn where can I read that story?

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2:09 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
This is a well written article!

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9:45 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Foreclosures up 455 percent in �07"

Examiner Reader said:
"0.83 percent of all Maryland households, according to online foreclosure research firm RealtyTrac." What was it in the mid 90's? If I remember, it was about 2%. The only reason we are hearing about this now is because of the election and the dinosaur media has an agenda to get a demoncrat in the WH.

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9:44 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
The democrat leaders of Baltimore failed everyone, black and white.

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9:22 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
More IDIOCY from the City government. Now that they have control of it, we will see how much deeper they can dig their own hole.

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8:21 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
Government created this problem. More government regulation and taxation will not fix the problem, an likely make it worse. Government needs to get out of the way and let the market sort things out.

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7:39 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
Excuse me Conscious Reader but it is Black leadership of Baltimore that is saying it was racial discrimination in how they loaned money that created the situation? What Republicans accused Wells Fargo of discriminatory lending practices?

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7:24 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Conscious Reader said:
Of course it is the Republican mindset to try and make this issue a Black/White issue...when there are just as many "WHITE" people in this country losing their homes too! Stop using this stupid race thing to exacerbate this problem. This problem is affecting EVERYONE! I am Black, and I am concerned about the affect it is having on my White/Hispanic/Asian/Indian neighbors. It is not fair for us to make this problem an issue that is solely happening because Black people were given messed up loans. I will be so glad when all the majority of those that would race bait, and keep injecting race into issues that affect all Americans finally die off! Enough already! How do we help our neighbors, and keep these foreclosures from further eroding our equity when they pop up in our communities? They are in "EVERYONE'S" communities! Stop making this about race. It has always been dirty realtors and lenders that took advantage of people. People trying to simply live the American dream!

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7:09 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Examiner Reader said:
This will only encourage lenders not to bother with Baltimore City. Why should they give out any mortgages if they have to deal with more regulatory hassles that amount to nothing? It will only contribute to fewer homes being sold among people who are actually financially qualified to own a home, make it harder for people to sell homes, and increase the number of vacant properties for squatters, drug addicts and drug dealers to use. Perhaps this is what the City Council (completely dominated by Democrats) wants so that they can stay in power.

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5:57 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Bill would force lenders to maintain Baltimore City�s foreclosed properties"

Dunn said:
This whole thing is short sighted and all about property tax. Baltimore has failed for years to unload thousands of vacant homes, what is few hundred more going to do. I'll say it again, take the $75M that was just approved by the State so landlords can fix mechanicals on Section 8 properties. Use the $75M to renovate 7000 homes in the city and give them away for free. The new owners are required to live there for 5 years, pay taxes and utilities. This would solve the "affordable housing and vanact house" issues. Not to mention gives some people an opportunity for home ownership and diginity. Currently the $75M is being thrown at cash flow postive investors, which make no sense what so ever. Or even better, just give the $75M back to tax payers.

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2:49 PM MST on Sun., Feb. 3, 2008 re: "Foreclosures up 455 percent in �07"

Examiner Reader said:
12:24, and just think this is only the start,keep your chinese shoes and tennies in good repair.

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12:24 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

Examiner Reader said:
Here we go again...pyramid schemes, multi level marketing, Enron, Dot Com Bubble Burst, Sub-Prime mortgages, etc. Please wake up to the constant scams dreamed up everyday.

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10:40 AM MST on Mon., Jan. 28, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

Examiner Reader said:
dont speak for all blacks.there are some of us out here with cell's in our brain.its not a black white thing.pay you stay.read everything when you dont understand get a lawyer.pay your bill's.

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5:24 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

Reader Carol said:
Enough of the Black folks this/White folks that. The issue is taking personal resonsibility for personal choices.

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1:37 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

Examiner Reader said:
Bad decisions buy consumers can have bad consequenses. Live and learn but don't ask me to bail you out.

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12:53 PM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

Examiner Reader said:
Its buyers beware, and burned purchasers.

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11:45 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

Examiner Reader said:
Put one morgagee payments on the back end of the loan, paid in 30 years or so. Just one payment is needed for all to catch up adn get back on track. Here is our Exit only sign out of Maryland! Thanks, MOM

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11:27 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

NORM said:
To the reader who supported a "foreclosure moratorium"?!!!! So no one is responsible for the financial decisions they made? Granted there are a lot of sharks out there in the re-fi business but if something sounds too good to be true than it most likely is. What's next, "Can't meet your monthly mortgage payments? Don't worry, just pay what you think is fair." If that's the case, auto loans, credit cards and a variety of other debts aren't far behind.

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11:10 AM MST on Fri., Jan. 25, 2008 re: "Housing advocates protest foreclosures"

Examiner Reader said:
I am for a foreclosure moratorium. That's the only way to stop the immediate threat many homeowners face.

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5:23 PM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: