Metro Atlanta shelters see spike in unwanted pets

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Metro Atlanta shelters see spike in unwanted pets

Metro Atlanta shelters see a spike in unwanted pets as money woes worsen among their owners.

Lt. Mary Lou Respess shows off one of the puppies awaiting adoption at the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter. The number of abandoned pets has spiked recently, say Gwinnett County animal advocates, and they believe it's tied to the increase in home foreclosures.

A springtime litter of six kittens, all looking for permanent homes, are also up for adoption. Some shelters are forced to euthanize the unwanted pets because they can't afford to care for them.

Four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were among an estimated 35 dogs housed in a rescue facility in Cobb County. The dogs, taken from a puppy mill, add to the shelter's growing population of abandoned and neglected pets.

Brett Singer, 13, holds an orphaned dog at Our Pal's Place, a no-kill dog shelter in Marietta. Singer collects pennies to help the shelter care for the unwanted animals.

Greg Thomas and his wife, Joy, of Jonesboro watch Rocky, a Jack Russell Terrier/Daschund mix , as they mull over adopting him from For Paws Rescue. Rocky was a lucky dog that day; he went home with the couple.

Fayette Humane Society volunteer Korie Wingate, of Griffin, holds Zack, a mini-pinscher looking for a permanent home, at a pet adoption at the Fayetteville PetSmart. Even without foreclosure problems, shelters would be full.

Southern Hope Humane Society volunteer Kelly Drayton, 20, from Alpharetta, walks Casey, a dachshund mix. Casey had a cyst on his head that had to be removed and his owners couldn't afford medical care, so they gave him up for adoption.

Andy, right, looks apprehensive as his brother, Squeakers, squeezes by in the cat room at Southern Hope.

Andy is not happy. His owners dropped him and his brother off at Southern Hope because their home is in foreclosure and they can't keep the pets.

Doc, a Jack Russell Terrier Wirehair, jumps up and down hoping someone at the humane society notices he needs to get out and stretch his legs.

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Lt. Mary Lou Respess shows off one of the puppies awaiting adoption at the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter. The number of abandoned pets has spiked recently, say Gwinnett County animal advocates, and they believe it's tied to the increase in home foreclosures.

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