Pets can be our buddies, but they also stack up the bills. In a time when the economy isn't looking so good, many people are finding it difficult to take care of their animals.
"His name is Tazmania James," Lisa Grawunder says.
It's Taz for short. The nine-year-old Australian Shepard needs surgery.
"I'm having a difficult time just making ends meet myself and then strapped with a situation like this--I can't," Lisa says.
Taz is actually one of the lucky ones because Lisa is determined to make ends meet so he can get the necessary medical treatment.
"If it means selling things or trading work or if it means not having surgery on my right hand in six weeks, there has got to be a means to provide for him."
Not every dog is so lucky.
At most shelters, more pets are coming in than usual. One reason has to do with all the number of foreclosed homes.
"They're moving and they're leaving their animal behind," says Eric Durcinka, executive director of the Elkhart County Humane Society. "Those are the worst ones where they leave them in the house. Luckily, we usually get a call from the bank if the bank has foreclosed on the house."
Usually, the shelters find two or three abandoned animals a month. Recently, it's that amount every week.
Over the past few months, every morning when the workers at Elkhart's Humane Society arrive, the over night drop off boxes are filled.
"Not only was every cage full but one of the human officer vehicles had been left here for the night and its cages were full," Durcinka says.
And because the drop off boxes were filled and the van boxes were filled, two dogs were left just roaming the grounds.
"All kinds of emotions go through you. It's unfortunate and you know the cages are going to be full," Durcinka says.
Durcinka says if you must drop off your pet, please do so during the day so they can get important information about the animal from you. That might just help your pet get adopted.
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