Boston Pets In Crisis - Abandonments On Rise As Economy Sinks

(Article States They Have Also Found Snakes, Lizard and Alligators)

By Laurel J. Sweet, Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Dogs, cats and even alligators are being abandoned to fend for themselves as the latest cruel collateral damage of a crippling economy tearing apart family budgets.

The discarded pets have left animal rescue workers scrambling to play catch-up.

"As the economy gets worse, we're seeing more and more abandonments. On evictions, you never know what you're going to find," said state police Lt. Alan Borgal, director of animal welfare and protection at the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

"You're dumping an animal to a possibly cruel fate," he said. "It doesn't have to be this way. I'm more than willing to talk to someone who's in trouble. We'll figure it out together."

The first wave of foreclosure-related pet surrenders arrived on ARL's South End doorstep early last year, but soon after owners began just kicking pets out of the house, or driving away from foreclosed homes and leaving them behind.

Most of the animals rescued have been cats, but Borgal said authorities have also come upon snakes, alligators and lizards.

Chickadee, a female pit bull mix the color of coffee ice cream and marshmallow syrup and believed to be 2 or 3 years old, is "evidence" in one such mind-boggling desertion. When she's put up for adoption this month, Borgal hopes she'll be newly classified as a family member somewhere.

"She's just as sweet as can be," Borgal said as the wriggling pooch sought out new hands to stroke and praise her.

Borgal saw more of Chickadee's sore-covered bones than he can hope to forget when the new owner of a foreclosed-upon triple-decker on West Tremlett Street in Dorchester called him Feb. 19 about a possible dog on the premises.

Too weak to even yelp for help, Chickadee was in an empty apartment half dead in a urine-and feces-soiled cage with no food or water. The woman who owned her, who Borgal has been unable to find to charge with felony animal cruelty, may have been gone only a couple days. But how long Chickadee had been without basic sustenance is anyone's guess.

"Everything was gone except the dog and the trash," Borgal said. "It's not like the bike you leave in the cellar. Animals can't call 911. You can see what a wonderful dog this is. She's so trusting of people.

"It's so sad at any level to let animals suffer, but we know people are in trouble and we're not blind to that," he said. "If we can't help you, we'll direct you to someone who can."

Borgal urges anyone who knows of a pet who's been abandoned or may be in danger of being left behind to call ARL's law enforcement hotline at 617-226-5610. Tips may be left anonymously.