Pets affected by market slump

People aren’t the only ones affected by recent foreclosures and housing market. Our four-legged friends are feeling the market crunch as well.

Animal shelters all over the United States are reporting an increase in abandoned animals related to the economic downturn. Higher costs to maintain homes and put food on the table and gas in the cars also affect what money is available to feed the family pet.

The Animal League of Green Valley is no exception, according to Jean Davis, the league’s president and adoption counselor.

“People who are going through foreclosures and are losing their homes are finding that the apartments they are moving into don’t always take pets,” she said. “The Animal League is getting more and more of these animals.”

Even the long-awaited 2,300-foot kennel addition to the facility, which won’t officially be dedicated until the fall, is already full to capacity.

“We’ve literally doubled the number of kennels and runs and even though we didn’t intend to fill them so soon, it was necessary,” Trudy Shannon, the league’s publications coordinator said. “We had to act now because the need was so great. We’ve seen a 300 percent increase in animals over the last two years.”

As of Aug. 7, the Animal League has up for adoption 22 dogs and 53 cats, currently being housed onsite in both the old and new wings of the facility.

“Hundreds of cats and dogs, kittens and puppies, and a few birds and rabbits, have made the Animal League their temporary home as they wait to be adopted by new and caring families,” Davis said. “Many companion animals whose owners can no longer care for them because of illness or other necessary lifestyle changes have been welcomed at TALGV, as well as many unwanted and abandoned animals.”

Davis said that all animals accepted by TALGV stay until a suitable new home is found for them.

“It’s not really a shelter,” Davis explained. “It is an adoption and life care center.”

According to the league’s mission, TALGV was established to, and continues to, give priority to animals of owners who are unable to care for them because of disabling or terminal illness.

On the top of the league’s ‘wish list’ is the need for volunteers, Davis said.

“We desperately need to increase our volunteer base so in the future we can increase our hours of operation, too,” Davis said.

Volunteer shifts are available from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday through Saturday. New shifts that need volunteers also are from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Shannon said that volunteer opportunities are many. Listed below are some of the ways you can share your expertise:

Pet pals: Clean kennels, love, feed, groom and exercise the animals.

Foster caregivers: Provide temporary shelter for animals in their homes while the pet awaits adoption.

Pet therapy facilitators: Take pets to visit residents in assisted care facilities (certification classes required).

Benefactor club members: Finance the care and adoption of special needs animals.

Administrative positions: Serve as secretaries, receptionists, record keepers and other support positions.

Data entry/computer programmers: maintain TALGV database.

Lost/found assistants: Help persons wanting pets and assist in the adoption process.

Handypersons: Assist in the maintenance of the TALGV facility.

Gardeners: Maintain the grounds.

For community outreach, TALGV also needs volunteers for project development, fundraisers, publicity and Web master skills.

“As we get more and more technical, we need people to handle the technology, too,” Davis added.

Volunteers Bob Brown and Chuck Mullen joke about male volunteers at the league being in a minority.

“The women volunteers outnumber the men, but we kind of like it that way,” Chuck said. “Actually, there is some pretty heavy work sometimes and it helps to be able to move and lift things, although the women can manage, too.”

The Animal League also houses the Attic thrift store, which accepts used goods for resale with all the profits going right back into the facility to help the animals.

TALGV is a privately funded, non-profit 501 (c)(3), completely staffed and managed by volunteers. It is supported by proceeds from the Attic thrift store, membership fees and donations.

“We really need your help,” Davis said. “There are many ways you can contribute—by volunteering or by donations and yes, adopting or fostering a pet.”

The Animal League of Green Valley is at 1600 W. Duval Mine Road, Sashuarita. Kennels are open from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Saturday. The Attic thrift store is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon and Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To make a donation or to volunteer for the Animal League, call 625-3170.

rford@gvnews.com