Lapeer County Animal Control Chief Walt Rodabaugh and a blue heeler offered up for adoption. The bad economy is prompting more people to surrender or even abandon their pets.

As families lose their jobs and homes in record numbers, many residents are giving up their pets and even abandoning them.

"It's really amazing," said Lapeer County Animal Control Chief Walt Rodabaugh. "When times get tough, even the best pet owners do what they think they have to do. It's not a good situation."

A rising number of people are surrendering their pets to the Lapeer County Animal Shelter.

"People walk through the door and hand over their pets," Rodabaugh said. "One man said he lost his job and his home and can no longer afford to feed his dogs. Normally we charge an acceptance fee. How can we do collect from a man who doesn't have enough money to feed himself?"

Some residents dump their animals off at the shelter during off hours and don't bother to leave a note. With increasing frequency, animal control officers find dogs tied outside the building when they report for work.

"Yesterday morning somebody put boxes of cats at the front door," Rodabaugh said. "They're big and well fed. You can tell they were somebody's pets. Someone cared for them."

It's harder to find a new home for a pet that has been abandoned. The shelter keeps them as long as possible, but eventually must euthanize the animals that aren't adoptable.

"We have no idea if they have shots," Rodabaugh said. "It would be really helpful to know the dog's name. They act different when they're in here, and we don't know their history. Are they good with children?"

Sometimes pets remain inside a home that has been foreclosed on by the bank.

"We're getting all kinds of calls from real estate agents who come across pets in foreclosed homes," Rodabaugh said. "We have to post the property for 24 hours to be certain they've been abandoned. Luckily, we've been able to come up with most of the owners, but it's not fair to the pets, and not fair to the taxpayers."

Rodabaugh suspects stray dog numbers to rise and problems to grow as the economy worsens.

"I hope people will keep up with the shots," he said. "If they can't, contact veterinarians by phone. Some are able to help or have suggestions. I've been informed there's a new strain of Parvo that even vaccinated animals are catching.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com