HELP THE FURRY VICTIMS OF FORECLOSURE

Animal shelters in Florida and throughout the nation find themselves filled to capacity as homeowners not only lose a house to foreclosure, but also the ability to take care of a pet. "When times are hard for people, they frequently are hard for pets as well," says Nancy Peterson, issues specialist with the Humane Society of the United States. A West Palm Beach shelter, the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, asks people why they're dropping off a pet. In March, 71 pet owners cited a housing-related reason, including "foreclosure," "moving" and "unable to find housing" that allows pets. "Some people treat their animals like they are an old TV set or a couch," says League Executive Director Joan Carlson Radabaugh, but for others "it's really heartbreaking. They have lived with their animals for years and they love them." A list of pet adoption groups throughout Florida can be found at: http://www.pgaa.com/Florida.html. Contact the Florida Humane Society at: http://www.floridahumanesociety.org