News
Shelters Struggle to Keep Up With Current Economy (Salinas, Calif.)
November 03, 2008, 3:54PM MT
By Julie Flinn
Salinas, California shelters share their struggle in the current economy as surrendered pet numbers increase.
Salinas, California shelters share their struggle in the current economy as surrendered pet numbers increase.
According to the article “Monterey County pets feel the pain of economic downturn”, the rise of foreclosures in Monterey County is causing owners to give up their pets in a struggle, while others have simply left their animals in the foreclosed homes. Salinas Animal Shelters have seen more than twice as many surrendered pets from January through September of this year as compared to last year, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Monterey have seen about 494 more. Along with this, the numbers of adoptions are decreasing.
Most shelters are already strained with space and budget, and this increase of incoming animals is hard to accommodate. However, the shelters are doing their best to work with rescue organizations and promote adoptions. Cindy Burnham, manager for the City of Salinas Animal Services, urges owners not to dump their animals. Instead, she asks owners that are looking into moving into rented housing to act fast as there are a limited amount of pet-friendly places, or to ask someone close to take their pet temporarily. Otherwise, the pets should be taken to an animal shelter.
It is likely that many shelters around the country are struggling, too. Check in with your favorite shelters, and help by donating or volunteering. To help and donate to the SPCA for Monterey County, please visit http://www.spcamc.org/
The full article can be found here.
Article summary by Kira Svirsky, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Posted by Julie Flinn, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Photo provided by Wiki Commons