As Economy Falters, So Does Pet Ownership

PR Log (Press Release) – Nov 05, 2009 – News Release               

DOBERMAN RESCUE OF NEW MEXICO:
AS ECONOMY FALTERS IN NEW MEXICO, SO DOES PET OWNERSHIP

   Albuquerque, NM – Even as the economy has gone to the dogs, an alarming number of dogs – especially large breeds – are going to public shelters and private rescue groups.

Alamogordo-based Doberman Rescue of New Mexico, a 501(c )3 non-profit rescue group that takes in abandoned, relinquished and seized Doberman Pinschers, is receiving more calls on dogs than at any other time in their eight-year history.

“Our name says it all,” explains Don Helfrich, the Albuquerque-based president of the organization, “and our focus has always been on Dobermans who need our care in New Mexico and west Texas.  Unfortunately, the situation is so bad right now nationally with animals needing homes that we’re fielding calls from owners, shelters and other rescue groups in Arizona, Colorado, Texas and even further east.  We’ve never seen this many animals in need before, especially in the Albuquerque area.”

Part of the problem, Helfrich says, is the number of pet owners who are losing their homes – and jobs – in the current recession.  As families lose their homes and look to either apartments or pet-restricted rental units for new living accommodations, the family dog is often the casualty.



“Dogs are certainly an expense and near the top of many people’s list as first to go, so there have definitely been more people calling, often in tears, about having to relinquish the family pet. “

For the first time in the group’s history, Helfrich says, the all volunteer-run, privately-funded rescue group is struggling to meet the needs of canines who have come to depend on the group for medical care, foster care and adoptive homes.    

The organization, which has no formal shelter facility, depends on foster families to assist in taking in a dog waiting for adoption.  The seven current foster homes scattered across the state are filled to capacity with the more than twelve dogs currently available.  

“In a typical year,” Helfrich says, “we turn away perhaps one or two dogs for various reasons, usually due to a shortage in foster homes or the animal’s unsociable nature due to ill treatment or poor socialization on the part of an owner.  That’s in a year.  Sadly, I’ve had to turn away three dogs over the past two weeks.  We’re stretched to our limit in finances and foster homes.  In order to accommodate any additional animals we have to find additional foster families, additional adoptive families and some additional funding.”

“The organization has, over the last eight years, taken in and placed more than 300 animals, many of them with histories of abuse and neglect, but with big hearts to start again.  The source is not reputable breeders, but “backyard” (mostly rural) breeders and “puppy mills” that have no process to make sure the adoptive home is responsible or knowledgeable.  They certainly don’t provide for spay or neuter which results in multiple litters of purebred or mixed dogs in an area already overpopulated with unwanted pets,” says Helfrich.  “Albuquerque has been capital of euthanasia per capita in the U.S. over recent years”.

Doberman Rescue of New Mexico has recently put an appeal out to their mailing list of supporters asking for additional support in funding and in foster homes.  Those interested in learning more about the organization or wishing to assist can do so at www.dobermanrescuenm.org or by calling (505) 255-9580.



Contact:  Betsy Model
Betsy Model Media Relations
505-466-2770
bmodel@betsymodel.com