Most people who have pets know a neighbor, a relative, a friend of the family who can pet-sit when there are away on vacation or out of town. But there are many people who care for animals as companions who may not have adequate social networks. What happens to these people and their animals when they are not in a position to take care of their pet?
For example, imagine you are an elderly person in a large city such as Manhattan. Suppose you become ill and are taken to the hospital, and you need to be admitted for treatment. Who will care for your pet? Suppose your pet is your only companion and you do not have close contacts with neighbors, friends, or relatives, or you are too sick to arrange a person to care for your animal? Perhaps you do not wish to stay in the hospital because your sense of responsibility to the animal that depends on you is too great.
Suppose you have a mortgage on a house or apartment, and cannot make your payments, and your mortgage goes into foreclosure. Suppose that when you apply for a rental property, you cannot find a property which is willing to accept pets, and you need a place for your pet to stay until you get back on your financial feet, but you do not wish to give your pet up for adoption. Or, suppose you wish to give your pet up, but you cannot afford the fees of a reputable adoption service.
Suppose you or your spouse files for divorce, and you must move out, and you cannot find a place for your pet immediately?
Suppose your partner is abusive to you and/or your pet, and you seek a place of refuge but the shelter does not allow pets.
Suppose that you are incarcerated and you do not wish your relatives/friends to be burdened with that knowledge, and you need someone to look after your pet temporarily?
Suppose that you are sent overseas on military duty, or on job assignment on short notice, and there is no one to look out for your pet on such short notice?
Suppose that you wish to stop using drugs or alcohol and need someone to look out for your animal while you are in rehabilitation.
Suppose you become pregnant and you wish for someone to care for your pets during your pregancy... who will do so?
Does this ever happen? In today's fast paced world where families and friends, are spread across the country or around the world, it happens more frequently than you realize.
In emergency departments across the country, people are frequently hospitalized without notice or warning. It is infrequent that doctors ask about the patient's pets, particularly if the patient is too sick to provide this history.
Even if a doctor is able to establish that the patient has a pet and there is no one to care for the animal, it can be difficult to arrange a pet sitter.
The ASPCA does not provide this service, it only will take a pet for adoption. The Fire and Police Department will not go to the person's residence to rescue a pet. Animal control will take the pet away and the person will never see their loved companion again.
The mission of this charity is to provide a network of responsible, caring, and trained pet-sitters, concerned citizens, and volunteers to arrange for pets to be taken care of until a person recovers from whatever crisis has befallen them.
If you have suggestions, experience or expertise that would be helpful to this charity, please leave a comment.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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