Foreclosure Pets

Bankruptcy can be a troubling time for anyone facing such overwhelming financial circumstances. Even though the process can wear a person down, causing them to make emotional decisions and occasionally take action that they otherwise would have never considered, there is no excuse for animal cruelty during bankruptcy. Foreclosure pets, as they are becoming known as, are dogs, cats, and other animals left alone in the houses that their owners have lost due to foreclosure.

Although this may be surprising to some, especially pet owners, the reality of foreclosure pets boils down to personal finances. When purchasing a pet from a store or shelter, the initial costs do not describe the full price of keeping a pet healthy. With food, medicine, and housing required, pet costs can be a significant and constant financial burden for some. Especially during a bankruptcy, this may become too much to handle.

Legally, lenders may be unable to remove foreclosure pets from a property immediately after finding them depending on state and local codes. Pets are considered personal property, and are treated like any other piece of property left behind in a foreclosure. The original owner has certain rights retained over a period of time following the foreclosure process, which may prohibit action on a lender's behalf.

There are some simple alternatives to leaving an animal behind. The first and easiest is to contact the nearest pet shelter. While these facilities already find themselves overburdened with abused and unwanted animals, many recognize the alternative to finding homes for these pets. However, under certain circumstances, shelters may not be able to accept an animal at the time. In these situations, contacting friends, family, or acquaintances who have been interested in adding a new pet to their family may be a more viable solution.

Contact a bankruptcy attorney to learn more about how pets can factor into a bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy can be a confusing process. Contact a West Palm Beach bankruptcy lawyer from Klein & Associates today to discuss your legal options.