I debated whether or not to post this article seeing how it isn't exactly one of those "strategic" or "tactical" articles we're used to seeing on this site.  But I didn't debate too long.  I figured it's important, I can write and I have one of those covetted RealBlogging Contributor's accounts.  ;-)

You've probably seen some of the same sound bites and news stories I have about the other/silent victims in home foreclosures: abandoned pets.  

The lucky ones are those for whom owners have found shelter. Unfortunately, there are also too many reports from agents, REO specialists, sherrifs and others about pets found dehydrated, hungry and emaciated while locked up inside foreclosed properties long after the previous owners have left.

But, as unconscionable as that may seem, it's also difficult to pass judgment because the reality of family evictions is so varied.  Some of those who are evicted can literally be at their wits end just trying to find new shelter for their family on an already strained pocketbook, let alone trying to find a landlord who'll take the dog and cats.

I mean, we hear the stories of emaciated and thirsty four-legged former family members.  But there are also the realities of folks with the best of intentions, only strapped for solutions. 

One SPCA director shared a story about a man who arrived at the shelter saying he had to give up his cat and two small dogs.  When an employee went out to help bring the animals in, she discovered that he had arrived in a U-Haul loaded with the only belongings left to him and no place to go.  The very last thing he could muster was to surrender his animals.

I applaud that guy's decision to make the effort of finding shelter and alternative care for his animals.

The issue of displaced pets following economic disaster isn't new.  The aftermath of hurricane Katrina shed some light on the need for planning and programs for helping manage care and shelter for displaced animals.   But even with that awareness, it's likely more can be done to get the word out.

It's in that spirit of shedding light on this topic that I decided to post this article.  There are a couple of resources I'm aware of that can help upended home owners and evicted tenants find a starting point for their displaced pets.

Petfinder.com is a web site with an online database of animals that need homes.  It also sports a directory of over 10,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the USA, Canada and Mexico.  The virtual shelter database can be found here: http://www.petfinder.com/awo/index.cgi?action=state

No Paws Left Behind is a non-profit organization that specifically helps people facing foreclosure find shelters for their animals. Their "Paw Alert!" program provides a searchable database of "no kill" shelters and foster shelters.  More information can be found here:  http://nopawsleftbehind.org/paws/

Of course, there's also the SPCA.  The SPCA has an animal surrender program that, while unable to take in an unlimited number of animals, does have a reservation program and may also have affiliations or pointers to other organizations that can offer options.

Pass this information along to your clients, colleagues and friends who may know folks facing tough times. 

And, if you know of other organizations that you think are worthy of sharing, please leave a comment with link information.  If the list gets long (that's a good thing) I'll post a follow up summary listing them all in a future post.