In today’s troubled economic times, many pet owners in Rochester, Rochester, Niagara Falls and other cities in New York are either losing their homes to foreclosure or being evicted from their apartments. When ultimately forced to move, they may not be able to keep pets in their new residences. Upon facing the prospect of putting their pets in a shelter, some people leave their pets behind in the hope that someone will find the animal and adopt it. Many pets left behind die from lack of food and water before being found .
These are six (6) Do’s and Don’ts for New York pet owners who are losing their homes or apartments:
- DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE to make arrangements for your pets when you will make poor choices under stress.
- DO ASK family, friends, neighbors and co-workers FOR HELP in caring for your pet until you find a pet-friendly residence.
- DO LOOK FOR PET-FRIENDLY HOUSING at www.nopawsleftbehind.org. If the landlord prohibits pets, offer to provide renter’s insurance and pay a cleaning deposit or higher security.
- DO CONTACT NEW YORK ANIMAL SHELTERS, RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS AND VETS about foster homes or boarding space if you cannot find immediate pet-friendly housing. Some shelters and organizations offer to house your pets for a couple of months at no cost or reduced cost while you find housing. If you can’t find temporary shelter and need to surrender ownership, click here (http://www.petfinder.com/index.html) and (http://nopawsleftbehind.org/paws/Home/Main.aspx) to search for local animal shelters and animal rescue organizations which do not euthanize adoptable animals.
- DON’T ASSUME THAT YOUR LANDLORD OR BANK WILL BE ENTERING YOUR HOME RIGHT AFTER YOU LEAVE. Pets left behind could be there for weeks before being discovered.
- DON’T COMMIT A CRIME BY LEAVING YOUR PET BEHIND WHEN YOU LEAVE. It is a criminal misdemeanor in New York to abandon your pet or to fail to provide it with food and water. Violators face up to one year imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine.
For a free copy of “Animal Law in NY State”, click here – New York Animal Laws
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