Protecting Your Pet: Foreclosure pets

Sydney is a two-year-old golden retriever and an animal victim of the mortgage meltdown.

Rick Johnson, Sacramento SPCA Director
"The reason Sydney is here is that she was given up last year from people who were moving. And she's a wonderful dog and we've adopted her."

Sydney is one of the lucky ones because at this shelter the number of abandoned pets has doubled in the last four months.

Sarah Varanini, SPCA Animal services
"We had about 33 dogs come in on Saturday alone, so it's just increasing everyday."

Sarah Varanini hears the hardship stories first hand from pet owners forced to move suddenly after losing their homes to foreclosure.

Sarah Varanini, SPCA Animal services
"A lot of times they file for bankruptcy and they have to move into an apartment complex and a lot of apartment complexes don't take certain breeds of dogs, so they end up having to bring their animals here."

And many people on the move can't afford the pet deposits, which can run $300 and up.

Rescue experts say its best for pet owners to give their local shelter a call before they give up their animals. That way there's a much better chance of finding their pet a new place to live.

Rick Johnson, Sacramento SPCA Director
"There are a number of resources shelters have to help people find another home for their animal."

Many shelters can offer referrals so pets can end up with a new family just like Sydney did...Avoiding the need for abandonment all together.

(Copyright 2008 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)