by Amanda Giannaros

Created on: July 28, 2009

It is a very heartbreaking thing to have to say goodbye to your pet. With the decline of today's economy, many people feel forced to surrender their pets. It's a sad thought, but perhaps not entirely necessary. Granted there are some situations where there is absolutely no choice, but in most cases there is another option.

So many jobs have recently been cut and thousands of people are finding themselves without work. If you fit into this category and you are looking for ways to cut costs, consider making your own dog food. There are so many things that can be done at home that aren't anymore because it's so convenient to go out and buy everything. If your dog needs a bed to sleep on, sew together a couple of old pillow cases and stuff them with torn up rags. If you can't afford a groomer, do it yourself. There are many ways to cut costs without having to give up your pet you just have to be a little creative.

Moving is another reason people feel like they have to give up their pets. Foreclosure rates rose to a record 81% in January of 2009. Many people are leaving their houses and moving into apartments, townhouses, and condos. The problem with this is many of those facilities don't allow pets, or if they do there is usually a size limit as well as a restrictions on number of pets. It may take a little digging but there are places out there that will accept your pets. There are many websites on the Internet devoted to helping you find a place for both you and your furry four legged friend. Another possibility is to look at foreclosed houses, you may not be able to afford the house you were in, but perhaps all you need is something a little simpler. Many bank owned properties go for way under market value.

If you have gone through all of the options and there is absolutely no way you can keep your pet, there are a few options other than surrendering it over to an animal shelter. Shelters are over crowded as it is and the more animals that come in, the more they have to euthanize. Re-homing your pet is an alternative. It is extremely important that you ask questions of the people whom you are considering giving your pet to. Do a home visit to make sure they have adequate space. You want to be sure that you know the situation your animal is going to so they don't end up as training for fighting dogs, or sold to a laboratory. If you purchased your animal through a breeder, you may have had to sign a contract stating if you are unable to keep this animal you are to return it to them so they can re-home it. The same goes for shelters. You vet may know of someone looking to adopt a pet, so it is always a good idea to talk to them.

Whatever your situation is, hopefully you can find an alternative to giving your pet up. If not, know that there are options out there besides surrendering it over to an animal shelter. While they are meant to help, there just aren't enough resources for them to take in and find homes for every animal. Unfortunately, more and more animals are being euthanized now solely for lack of space and finances.

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