Reader comments
Pets are losing their owners as owners lose their homes
28 comments | Read story
CP | 4:29 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
That is so sad. We lost a home we were living in, but we were renting. Landlord
cranked up the rent, so we couldn't afford it anymore. But our two cats
came with us and we're in a new place and they're still with us. Most
landlords are tolerable of pets, may have to pay a little more of a deposit, but
more often then not they are flexible.
Janice | 6:30 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
If people would JUST spay and neuter. I will never understand why they
don't. It would save millions of lives of animals.
sam | 7:34 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I would like to see a push for a program that offered, free or very very low
cost spaying/neutering of dogs and cats. Many people do not "fix"
their animal as the cost is prohibitive. If there could be such a program, it
would save thousands of animals from being born.
Comments continue below
Debbie | 7:52 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
Property owners are contributing to the problem. Recently my daughter searched
for an apartment in Davis county that would allow pets (duplex or similar with
fenced yard) and everything said, "No pets" - not just deposit. They
were willing to pay a deposit (I was loaning it to them!). They ended up moving
to Roy and commuting 23 miles each way to work just so they could keep their two
little dogs. Many of the landlords are probably pet lovers themselves but they
aren't helping renters who also love their pets.
uncannygunman | 8:16 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
My experience with friends who have sought pet-friendly apartments is that they
are hard to come by. I'd like to see legislation to prevent rental
discrimination against pet owners,
Phil | 8:23 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
We got to bail out the homeowners, just to save the animals. Who cares about
the next generation who can't afford housing because of this bubble, and of
coarse the next generation has tons of debt to pay(national debt), huge
entitlements(Social Sec., Medicare, Medicade) hanging over them. But no we got
to worry about pets. The baby boomers have ruined it for the next generation,
and does anybody complain, no we have to bankrupt the next generation to
"save the planet"
Crusader | 8:30 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I agree with the above comments, but I also see the landowners point of view.
So many people are lazy and when their pets pee or worse on the carpet, they do
not clean it up in a timely and appropriate manner.
re: sam | 8:31 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I had my cats fixed and it cost me $20 for each cat. That's pretty darn
cheap. I had it done at the Salt Lake Humane Society.
Landlord | 8:52 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I have a couple of apartments that I rent out. I have allowed pets in the past.
It is frustrating to me how lazy pet owners are. They let their dogs or cats
poop on the grass and don't bother to clean it up. Then other the other
renters in the unit (it's a multi-unit building) have to deal with their
neighbor's poop.
If you want to be able to have pets, Pet owners could do themselves a favor by cleaning up after their animals EVERY time. I don't want complaints from other tenants that your dog or cat is leaving a mess. And I don't want to have to replace the carpet and pad because you can't smell when your animal pees inside the unit. It's too expensive to replace carpet every time.
If you want to be able to have pets, Pet owners could do themselves a favor by cleaning up after their animals EVERY time. I don't want complaints from other tenants that your dog or cat is leaving a mess. And I don't want to have to replace the carpet and pad because you can't smell when your animal pees inside the unit. It's too expensive to replace carpet every time.
Legislation | 8:59 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
Legislation to prevent "discrimination" against pet owners will never
happen. It's their private property, you can't force them to rent to
you because you have a pet.
Pets create a lot of wear and tear on a place. Not only do they soil the carpet when they have an accident, their feet, and the constant in and out, tracks in extra dirt, etc which wears on the carpet.
Some cats use doorways as scratching posts. Some renters allow their birds to fly around, outside their cage, pooping everywhere, including hard to reach areas.
Other than a fish, I can't think of an animal that doesn't wear on a rental unit. That's why some people won't allow pets.
Additionally, some people are highly allergic to pet dander and need a place that has never had pets or they can have an allergic reaction and die.
When it comes to an animal, or a human being's health, I choose the human's health. There are options out there for pet lovers to rent.
Pets create a lot of wear and tear on a place. Not only do they soil the carpet when they have an accident, their feet, and the constant in and out, tracks in extra dirt, etc which wears on the carpet.
Some cats use doorways as scratching posts. Some renters allow their birds to fly around, outside their cage, pooping everywhere, including hard to reach areas.
Other than a fish, I can't think of an animal that doesn't wear on a rental unit. That's why some people won't allow pets.
Additionally, some people are highly allergic to pet dander and need a place that has never had pets or they can have an allergic reaction and die.
When it comes to an animal, or a human being's health, I choose the human's health. There are options out there for pet lovers to rent.
Clueless | 9:04 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
Here's a thought. Don't get a pet if you are in an apartment.
Just like you don't have children until you are established and can afford them -- don't bond with a pet until you can properly care for them. That typically means being able to afford a home to keep them in.
Just like you don't have children until you are established and can afford them -- don't bond with a pet until you can properly care for them. That typically means being able to afford a home to keep them in.
Wow | 9:06 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
People losing their homes and it's the pets we're reading about?
m | 9:17 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
To Wow,
We have been hearing about people losing their homes for some time now. This story was pointing out that it is not only people who are suffering in these trying times. I for one hope that when people read this article they will do some little thing that will help this situation. Animals are part of the family and it is sad to hear they are being separated from the people they love.
We have been hearing about people losing their homes for some time now. This story was pointing out that it is not only people who are suffering in these trying times. I for one hope that when people read this article they will do some little thing that will help this situation. Animals are part of the family and it is sad to hear they are being separated from the people they love.
Bad judgement | 9:25 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
No apartment building should allow pets for a number of health reasons too long
to list here.
uncannygunman | 9:51 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
re: I'd like to see legislation to prevent rental discrimination against
pet owners.
Any legislation to protect pet owners will discriminate against landlords and other tenants. Pets in rental properties, where renters have little incentive to protect or improve the structure, often cause immense damage, costing thousands of dollars to repair when the renter leaves. Many pet owners are also oblivious to the problems their animals cause (odors, feces, intimidation of pedestrians, destuction of property, etc.).
It is not a right to own a pet - and ALL of the costs of ownership should be interalized and accrue to the owner, not the rest of us.
Any legislation to protect pet owners will discriminate against landlords and other tenants. Pets in rental properties, where renters have little incentive to protect or improve the structure, often cause immense damage, costing thousands of dollars to repair when the renter leaves. Many pet owners are also oblivious to the problems their animals cause (odors, feces, intimidation of pedestrians, destuction of property, etc.).
It is not a right to own a pet - and ALL of the costs of ownership should be interalized and accrue to the owner, not the rest of us.
Be nice | 10:00 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
Please have some compassion for these people. To some, pets are like their
children. The LAST thing these people want to lose is their loving animals. I
would do anything to keep my cat if I was in this situation.
Frank | 10:15 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I have always tried to find an apartment I could have a pet in with no luck. I
do see the hassle it is from the Landlords perspective. My fiance had cat
owners in the apartment above her. The tenants went on vacation for a week and
left the cats alone in the apartment and the smell from just the hallway was
horrible.
To sam | 10:19 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
No More Homeless Pets offers free spay/neuter vouchers for up to three pets for
those households on a government assistance program (Medicaid, WIC, CHIP,
etc.)or whose income doesn't exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Limit.
suzanna | 11:42 a.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I have no pets myself, but how can you turn in a pet because you can no longer
afford to feed it. Would you turn in a child? A pet is just like a child that
looks for a little love. I agree with the apt. owners, "some" people
are too lazy to clean up after their pets. But if you are a homeowner, there are
places like the foodbank that have food for your pets. Should you be a
smoker...give up some of your bad habits so that you can feed your pet instead.
A pack a week ought to do it. It is not my intention to look down on anyone who
smokes but just have compassion on your pets, surely they deserve better than
being turned in. Good luck to you all.
stumped | 12:20 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I do not understand why people who cannot afford to house and feed themselves
and their family are acquiring pets they also cannot afford to take care of.
Science Teacher | 12:57 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I wonder how many are cancelling the cable....
Comment on Comments | 12:58 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
I think some of you don't get it. The article talked at least partially
about foreclosures. Those aren't apartments. So it isn't really
about people waiting until they're established to get a pet. These are
people who had houses. You can be fairly comfortable and think yourself secure
and then suddenly lose your job and find yourself in dire straits within a
couple of months. There are news stories all the time about people being only a
paycheck or two away from disaster.
And it isn't really about spaying and neutering either. I'm certainly not opposed to spaying/neutering, but how would that solve this particular problem? These people still would have obtained pets and would still be having trouble providing for them.
And we shouldn't bemoan the fact either that in the midst of all of the human problems going on that the tragedies happening to pets are also getting coverage. Pets are completely dependent on us and through no fault of their own are also being hurt--even destroyed. It's just another element of the troubles affecting us all.
I think this is very sad. I love my dog and would do everything in my power to keep her safe.
And it isn't really about spaying and neutering either. I'm certainly not opposed to spaying/neutering, but how would that solve this particular problem? These people still would have obtained pets and would still be having trouble providing for them.
And we shouldn't bemoan the fact either that in the midst of all of the human problems going on that the tragedies happening to pets are also getting coverage. Pets are completely dependent on us and through no fault of their own are also being hurt--even destroyed. It's just another element of the troubles affecting us all.
I think this is very sad. I love my dog and would do everything in my power to keep her safe.
Jeff in AZ | 1:22 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
Getting a cat or dog is a 20 year commitment. It should not be an impulsive
thing to get a pet. Shame on those who would prefer cable, a cell phone, video
games, etc over a dog or a cat. Whether a landowner allows or not allows pets
is their complete business, literally. It is their house and their livelyhood.
Jeff in AZ | 1:24 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
Correction, shame on those who would give up a dog or a cat because they
can't afford it, yet still can afford cable, etc. The previous statement
was not clear. Good day to all.
dummy on Isle #6 | 2:09 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
The baby boomers have ruined it for the next generation**************
That is the most stupid comment I have ever read.
If it wasn't for your baby boomer mom you would not be here- Baby Boomers
paid for Johnson's Medicare, Medicaid, Great Society hand outs. My paychecks were cut in half. I
Struggled to pay SS for 50 years, paid in $150,000 dollars. Just think if I could have invested that money at 5 percent. Be worth half million dollars or more. Get off your high horse and get to work.
I also served two 2 years in Vietnam,
Where were You?
That is the most stupid comment I have ever read.
If it wasn't for your baby boomer mom you would not be here- Baby Boomers
paid for Johnson's Medicare, Medicaid, Great Society hand outs. My paychecks were cut in half. I
Struggled to pay SS for 50 years, paid in $150,000 dollars. Just think if I could have invested that money at 5 percent. Be worth half million dollars or more. Get off your high horse and get to work.
I also served two 2 years in Vietnam,
Where were You?
Texan | 2:13 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
Slow news day, eh?
richard | 6:59 p.m. Dec. 10, 2008
the more i read some of these comments by people the more i like my dog
Macey May | 11:21 a.m. Dec. 31, 2008
Do they not realize that if they give up pets they will be put to sleep if they
do not find a home? Shelters and other such places need to accomodate the influx
of incoming pets. There are more and more people recurring to the services of
these places in hopes of finding their beloved pet a home...but sadly, many do
not find that home. :( I had to give up my dog once because I had a baby coming
in. I choose to wait 1-2 years to find that dog a proper home instead of taking
him to a shelter where I knew wouldn't keep him for as long as a few
months. It's horrible to think that some pets aren't that lucky. I
have a toy poodle now and know I wouldn't give her up. My parents wanted to
breed her, but I think it is not the best way to go at these times. So spay and
neuter, this is the best way to go!
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Breanna Allen, left, 17, of Murray, hands Zoe over to Stephanie Beller to put the cat up for adoption as Zoe's owner Jaimie Radcliffe, 20, of Murray, watches at the Humane Society of Utah on Nov. 14. Radcliffe had to give up Zoe for financial reasons.
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