Across the country, animals are being found abandoned in foreclosed homes. Other pet owners who’ve fallen victim to the subprime mortgage mess, finding themselves just days or even hours from being homeless, are desperately trying to find someone to take in the furry and feathered members of their families. Some have tearfully left their pets at shelters, not knowing what would become of them, but believing they could at least give them some chance of being adopted.

“We’re seeing more and more cases of people leaving their homes and dropping the dog off at the shelter and the cat in the local park,” says Michael Mountain, president of Best Friends Animal Society. “Sometimes they even just tie the dog up outside and drive off.”

It is never OK to leave the family pet to fend for himself. Many people have been calling Best Friends’ Animal Help department for advice on how to keep their pets as they weather the economic storm. Department manager Liz Finch says she’s seeing an increase in calls and e-mails from people facing foreclosure.

“If there is a short time-frame, we coach them on ways to find temporary care for their animals through kenneling, boarding at a vet's office, fostering with a friend – anything to give them more time to look for the right home for their pet,” Liz says. “They may have the ability to keep their animal if they can find this temporary care, to tide them over until they find a pet-friendly home for themselves.”

Best Friends Animal Help specialists also provide resources to help people re-home their pets, giving them valuable information on how to network in their communities and how to contact rescue organizations.

“If the animal has special needs, we give them more specialized advice and resources,” Liz says. “We want to offer them as many options as possible. The more people who are aware of an animal in need of a home, the more likely you'll be able to find that home.”

Some advice for people facing foreclosure – they should get in touch with their lenders. Many lenders are willing to lower interest rates to help people stay in their homes. “Lenders are being flexible,” Mindy says. “They will definitely work with you.” She says real-estate agents can help if people don’t know how to contact their lenders.

“It's a very sad reality that people are being put in this position, where they essentially have to give up a member of their family,” Liz says. “We do whatever we can to give them hope for their animals’ future.”

What you can do: If you’re facing potential foreclosure, go to the Hope Now Alliance or call the toll-free hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE for information and resources.

Article from the Best Friends Society Website- Written by Sandy Miller

OUR LOCATIONS & Adoption Times:

Saturdays: 12 - 4 pM

SUNDAYS: 1-4 pm (cats only)

In Flint:

PetSmart Store
4601 Miller Road
Flint, MI 48507
(810) 733-6311

In Grand Blanc:

PetSmart Store
6260 Saginaw Road
Grand Blanc, MI 48439
810-953-0019

HELP NEEDED!!!

We need volunteers to help transport dogs to the Petsmart stores on Saturdays 12-4.  If you can help, call Glenda at 810-247-0356.

 OUR MISSION: The main focus of our group is to rescue unwanted animals who are going to be euthanized.  Last Chance Rescue is a NON-PROFIT organization that believes that ALL animals deserve the right to a happy, healthy environment.  We are committed to saving the lives of animals that otherwise would be destroyed. 

The Animal Rescue Site

www.theanimalrescuesite.com 

The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific need — providing food for some of the 27 million unwanted animals given to shelters in the U.S. every year. Over 10 million animals are put to death every year in the U.S. alone because they are abandoned and unwanted.

Each click on the purple "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Animal Rescue Site provides food and care for a rescued animal living in a shelter or sanctuary. Funding for food and care is paid by site sponsors and distributed to animals in need at the Fund for Animals' renowned animal sanctuaries (including Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Texas and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in California), pet shelters supported by the Petfinder Foundation, North Shore Animal League, and other worthy animal care facilities supported by the GreaterGood.org foundation.

100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to our charitable partners.

Upcoming Events:

(See Calendar for details)

MAY is "Be Kind To Animals Month"

5-17-08: There will be a large yard sale at 5360 Old Sayebrook Drivenear Belsay and Hill Roads. You may donate merchandise or come and shop!

5-17-08:  We will be represented at the National Kidney Foundation of MI's 2008 Flint Kidney Walk. This year's walk will be pet-friendly with the theme being around pets.

SAT. 5-31-08 @ noon:

We will be in the Swartz Creek Hometown Days Parade!  Our volunteers and animals available for adoption will be participating in the parade this year. It starts at the High School, goes down Miller Rd., and ends at St. Mary's Church on Morrish Rd.

Come and see us in the parade! (we may be able to do on-site adoptions after....keep checking for details)

PHOTO CONTEST:

Volunteer’s Recognition Banquet, originally scheduled for May 1, has been postponed until fall. However, we would like to commemorate the month with a photo contest.  Send us a photo that best depicts the “animal/human bond.”  You may mail photo and $5 entry fee to (Edith Campbell, 2551 Paducah St., Flint, MI 48504).  You may also bring photo to either Petsmart Store between noon and 4 pm on Saturdays.  (Give photo to a LCR person and make sure your name/address/phone is included.)

SPRING CLEANING

for your pet: Spring is here and it’s a fine time to think about the benefits of a “Spring Tune-Up” for your pet. Here are some tips from the experts at North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal organization.

• Make sure pets are protected with flea, tick and heartworm treatments and are up-to-date on vaccinations.
• Think “safety” and check that your pet’s identification tags are updated with your accurate phone or email information and securely fastened. Consider microchipping your pet as a way of permanently ensuring that if you and your best friend are separated, he or she can be tracked to you.
• Dental hygiene is another effective “Spring Tune-Up” tool, so have your pet’s teeth checked and cleaned by a vet. 
• Schedule a professional grooming that includes a bath, haircut if needed, and nail trimming.
• Know your pet’s proper body weight and ask your vet if a special diet is in order.
• And most importantly, any time of the year, resolve to spay and neuter your pets so that your animals don’t contribute to the large population of unwanted litters.

Hand-crocheted DISH CLOTHS for sale:  

Some of our volunteers have hand-crocheted a variety of dish cloths in many different colors that we are selling as a fundraiser for the rescue. They are $3.00 each -OR - 2 for $5.00.  We will mail them to you! If you are interested in buying some, please contact Glenda at 810-247-0356.

Photos will be posted soon....