According to MSN and Business Week magazine, home foreclosures are reaching record numbers. Up 62% up from a year ago. Which means, a lot of people are losing their homes. One thing that may surprise you: Pets are often silent sufferers during the foreclosure process. Homeowners in financial straits may make their pets a low priority to begin with, and when foreclosure leads to eviction, they’re often abandoned without food or water, and left to breed uncontrollably.

Horror stories abound of real estate agents, authorities, and property inspectors finding flea-ridden and malnourished animals, feces-covered floors, urine-soaked furniture, piles of rotting garbage, and even dead animals just left to rot. In fact, so many pets are being left behind, and it’s happening so frequently, they’re called “foreclosure pets.” Last month alone, authorities found 20 birds in a vacant house in Ohio, 24 horses on an abandoned Oklahoma ranch, and more than 50 cats in a home in Cincinnati.Almost all of the animals were injured, infected, dehydrated, and starved nearly to death and many of them couldn’t be saved.  

So, why is all this happening? It’s all about survival. For thousands of people struggling to find money for food and shelter, pet care is often the last thing they think about. They spiral down financially, and in their personal life, and everything just falls apart for them. They feel like they have nowhere to turn, so they just close the door and walk away.

If you’re facing foreclosure, and can’t care for your animals, do your conscience – and your pets – a BIG favor. Call your local animal shelter for help, the humane society, or check out the website BestFriends.org. They’re dedicated to finding every homeless pet a family and that includes cats, dogs, horses and livestock. They’ve got also got an international program at WorldAnimal.net.