Can’t afford your pets? There are options

At the Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital, manager Jennifer Hoffman said they have not seen a lot of people who have come to the point where they cannot keep their animals due to foreclosure or other financial issues, but they have seen a number of people who cannot provide as much veterinary care due to the economy. 

Hoffman said if you find yourself not able to provide for your pet, your local humane society may offer lower cost hospitals and care. 

But Hoffman said the veterinary hospital may be able to work with you and keep your animals healthy by doing a few things every couple of months, you just have to communicate with them. 

Hoffman said what they don’t want are people just leaving their pets.  The veterinary hospital has had people leave pets on their doorstep and the outcome has not been good.  Hoffman said more often than not, the animals that are left behind are scared and hot, if they are left outside in the heat in carriers or cardboard boxes and sometimes the animals escape. 

“A lot of times we come across animals that are very sick and we don’t have the option to treat them without the owners and owners permission to go ahead and treat them due to the degree of illness a lot of times humane euthanasia is necessary for those animals and we feel really bad for them because their last moments are with us, strangers, rather than with their family who’s cared for them their whole lives.”  Hoffman said you need to have a plan, in case caring for your pet becomes too much of a financial burden. 

“You do need to think of you animals in your plan as well, doing planning for family and friends to see if someone could adopt or even provide foster care for your pets while you get yourself back on you feet is a great option, probably the best option.” 

Another option may be a bulletin board like the one at the Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital; it is filled with advertisements from people looking for a place for their pets.  Hoffman said people have come into the hospital just to check the bulletin board because they know there are people out there willing to take care of their pets.

Michelle Lopinto, director of the North Myrtle Beach animal shelter said the shelter is overwhelmed with the number of animals they have right now.  Lopinto said the shelter is only taking animals from the city limits that animal control officers bring in.  She said if you can’t take care of your pet, for whatever reason,  do your research before taking your pet to a shelter, it might not be the best option.

A rescue organization may be another option.

Bob Checkaneck, president of South Carolina Greyhound Adoption Program (SC GAP) said the group works to find foster homes for greyhounds and dogs less than thirty pounds.  “We try to work with the shelters and help the shelters, not try to do anything else, there’s no competition here, we’re out for the best for the animal.”  Checkaneck also said if you have the foggiest idea that you cannot keep your animal, SC GAP, try to get in touch with them or another rescue group as soon as possible.  He said the more advance notice they have, the easier it will be for them to work with you and find the right temporary home for your pet.

You can find more information about foster care and adoption by logging on to http://www.scgap.petfinder.com.