By DON STINE
Pets are now being abandoned in large numbers due to the bad economy and animal advocates are urging people to think first before adopting a pet and plan for their future.
Animals abandoned due to home foreclosures or people no longer wanting their pets or being able to care for them is becoming a big problem, said Asbury Park’s Wonder Bar manager Debbie DeLisa – a pet advocate.
“There are many reasons these pets are being abandoned: foreclosures, job layoffs, divorce, children leaving college, illness, and other reasons,” she said.
DeLisa said in today’s difficult economic market there are many sacrifices and decisions people have to make, including what will happen to their pets in emergency situations.
“They have been our comfort, our companions and, for many of us, the only ones close to us showing and sharing unconditional love,” she said
Ursula Goetz, executive director of the Monmouth County SPCA, said her shelter has been inundated with abandoned cats and dogs for months.
“We get as many as 30 animals a day and this is absolutely about the economy. And unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight,” she said.
Goetz said the shelter has a capacity for about 100 animals but now has about 350 on the premises.
“People have no place to keep their animals but at least they are bringing them to the SPCA,” she said.
DeLisa works with Asbury Park boardwalk promoter Madison Marquette and the company is providing shelter for stray cats in one of their buildings on the city boardwalk.
Recently an elderly woman living in the Phillips Seaview Tower in Asbury Park died, leaving three elderly cats that the sanctuary eventually took in.
“A neighbor knew about the “Madison Marquette Sanctuary” [as Debbie calls it]. She called them because the shelters were full. We took them in and we call them “The Golden Girls” because they are so old but really precious” she said.
Their names are Tabitha, who is now in intensive care, and Pumpkin and Noel.
“I think these cats have had their hearts broken and I would really like to find them lovely and caring home at this point their lives,” she said.
DeLisa wants to remind all pet owners that their animals cannot take care of themselves and it is the obligation of a pet owner to be prepared for bad times.
“There is no room in shelters. Please make provisions to make sure they are able to live out their lives in a comfortable and safe environment. Don’t forget, they were always there for us with no judgment, criticism or expectations. The only thing they needed or wanted was care and love,” she said.
She said cats have been adopted from the boardwalk shelter but that more adoptions are still available.
Goetz said there is one German shepherd, in particular, that has ended up at the SPCA shelter.
“He is so beautiful, loving and well trained – he does tricks. His owner took him to a boarding home and never picked him up. It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
Goetz said every person contemplating pet ownership should evaluate their financial situation first.
“They should prepare a budget- for care, grooming, food and veterinarians. That all goes along with it,” she said.
Goetz said people should also consider pet insurance.
“If the unforeseen happens, check with your relatives, friends and neighbors – they may be able to care for your pets,” she said.
Anyone interested in adopting a pet should visit the SPCA shelter at 260 Wall St. in Eatontown, open daily, or visit their web site at www.MonmouthCountySPCA.org
Debbie DeLisa can be reached at Madison Marquette by telephoning 732-897-6500.
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
