Realtor Forms Non-Profit to Help Pets Left Behind
Source: The Arizona Republic
West Valley real estate broker Jan Marie Bennett is an animal lover and has been for years.
As home foreclosures continue to escalate and delinquent borrowers are forced to forfeit their homes, Bennett and fellow Realtors have noted an ancillary tragedy - the abandonment of beloved and well-tended pets.
"I personally found three animals in the past month that were left behind," said Bennett, who lives in Surprise but has her office in Glendale. "People are leaving their pets. It's heart-wrenching."
Equally dangerous is when the former homeowners leave their dog or cat with a minimal amount of food and water, thinking a Realtor or bank official will soon come to inspect the house.
That's not the case, say Realtors across the Valley. Weeks can go by with the pets left with no food or water in a sweltering house as utilities are shut off.
Other owners frantically search for no-kill shelters or pet-rescue organizations, but Valley shelter managers say they are already at capacity, with many having to turn animals away.
When it became obvious these weren't isolated incidents, Bennett joined with other animal-loving Realtors, loan officers and mortgage company representatives to form the Lost Our Home Pet Foundation, which incorporated June 25. She also is a member of the non-profit's advisory board.
Although she's busy as a real estate broker, Bennett says she makes time to help the animals.
"It's compassion for the owners and the animals. These pets bring us so much joy, we've got to give back to them when we can. It's not their fault they now have no home," she said.
Through the foundation, homes are found for abandoned animals and those surrendered by caring owners.
"We had a disabled vet who was evicted and trying to find a safe place for his two Lab-mix dogs, Maggie and her son Max, who he'd had since the mother was a puppy," Bennett said. "We posted their photos Sunday morning and by Monday we had three foster homes offered. And we always need more foster families."
Dog and cat owners are comforted that these are foster home situations, not adoptions, she added.
The Lost Our Home Foundation falls under the Prescott-based, pet rescue Circle L (Circle of Life) Ranch's 501c umbrella allowing tax-deductible donations.
"In my experience, as long as an animal has an advocate and a little time, a new home can be found despite the age or condition of the pet," said Dr. Deborah Wilson, the ranch's co-founder and director.
"I personally found three animals in the past month that were left behind," said Bennett, who lives in Surprise but has her office in Glendale. "People are leaving their pets. It's heart-wrenching."
Equally dangerous is when the former homeowners leave their dog or cat with a minimal amount of food and water, thinking a Realtor or bank official will soon come to inspect the house.
That's not the case, say Realtors across the Valley. Weeks can go by with the pets left with no food or water in a sweltering house as utilities are shut off.
Other owners frantically search for no-kill shelters or pet-rescue organizations, but Valley shelter managers say they are already at capacity, with many having to turn animals away.
When it became obvious these weren't isolated incidents, Bennett joined with other animal-loving Realtors, loan officers and mortgage company representatives to form the Lost Our Home Pet Foundation, which incorporated June 25. She also is a member of the non-profit's advisory board.
Although she's busy as a real estate broker, Bennett says she makes time to help the animals.
"It's compassion for the owners and the animals. These pets bring us so much joy, we've got to give back to them when we can. It's not their fault they now have no home," she said.
Through the foundation, homes are found for abandoned animals and those surrendered by caring owners.
"We had a disabled vet who was evicted and trying to find a safe place for his two Lab-mix dogs, Maggie and her son Max, who he'd had since the mother was a puppy," Bennett said. "We posted their photos Sunday morning and by Monday we had three foster homes offered. And we always need more foster families."
Dog and cat owners are comforted that these are foster home situations, not adoptions, she added.
The Lost Our Home Foundation falls under the Prescott-based, pet rescue Circle L (Circle of Life) Ranch's 501c umbrella allowing tax-deductible donations.
"In my experience, as long as an animal has an advocate and a little time, a new home can be found despite the age or condition of the pet," said Dr. Deborah Wilson, the ranch's co-founder and director.
