Housing crisis continues to affect pets

There continue to be stories about how the housing market is affecting pets.

Homeowners who lose their houses through foreclosures are abandoning their animals — either taking them to a shelter or, sadly, leaving them to fend for themselves.

Here's an article in the Mercury News about how things are in San Jose, Calif. There's been a 12 percent jump in the number of stray dogs admitted to the San Jose Animal Care Center over the last six months, officials said.

And there are more investigations into animals left in vacant homes.

Here are some blog entries I've done in the past about the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

Because of the shaky housing market, the Petco Foundation is starting a new fund to provide short-term funding for animal welfare groups to assist pet owners who have lost their homes or are experiencing temporary financial hurdles.

Called "We Are Family, Too," it funds pet food banks, product donations, referral lists of pet-friendly housing, short-term foster pet care, spay and neuter services and veterinary services.

"Through this fund we are giving voice to the thousands of pets that have lost their families – abandoned or surrendered because their owners lost their home or could no longer afford to feed and take care of them," said Paul Jolly, Petco Foundation vice president and executive director. "Animal welfare groups across the country are working to alleviate this growing crisis, and the Petco Foundation is proud to support their efforts to keep families and pets together."