Homepage / Nashville News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters

Abandoned Pets Overcrowding Animal Shelters

Officials: Homeowners In Foreclosure Leaving Pets

POSTED: 11:17 am CDT May 11, 2008
UPDATED: 2:46 pm CDT May 12, 2008

The slump in the housing market and subsequent rise in foreclosures are causing animal shelters to be overcrowded.

Video: Foreclosures Cited For Increased Pet Abandonment

According to Metro Animal Control, the number of abandoned animals is growing.

They said they are typically seeing more dogs left chained up or in the yard after their owners are long gone.

"We're seeing a lot more people leave animals when (they) leave home," Metro Animal Control Officer Billy Biggs said.

Biggs said in the last few months, there has been a noticeable increase in abandoned animals.

"It's something we were expecting -- above capacity because of foreclosures," Biggs said.

While California has had the highest foreclosure rate among the U.S., Tennessee is in the top 20, which may explain why the shelter's typical springtime surge is ahead of schedule.

They said most of the animals are getting the minimum time that they must be kept at the shelter by law.

"It's hard to keep them much more than required," Biggs said.

Adoptions tend to increase during the spring, Biggs said.

Robert and Teryl Brake recently adopted from the shelter.

Both said they noticed that they had a number of pets to choose from.

"I think what's happening is people are making choices (that they're) not making normally," Teryl Brake said.

Animal control officials said that if they can track down the owners who abandoned their pets, charges will be filed.

Biggs said the shelter is so over-crowded that they are euthanizing anywhere from 30-50 animals every day, six days a week.

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

Are you often tired or rushed in the morning? Give your morning habits a makeover, and start the day feeling positive and energetic instead. More

Do you want the look of a quality paint job without the hassle of having to redo it over and over? Spray on siding could be the answer. More

Sponsored Links

Job Searching Tips

Struggling to find a great job in a bad economy can be tough, but these eight tips can help improve your chances of landing a gig. More