As more families around the nation come face to face with the daily realities of economic distress, and the possibility of being foreclosed and evicted from their home lingers overhead, family pets are increasingly becoming victims without a voice.

An article in the Chicago Tribune addresses how while some Chicago homeowners losing their homes to foreclosure are turning their pets into local animal shelters, in the most inhumane and disgusting cases people are vacating their homes and leaving their pets to starve, either too embarrassed to admit they are in foreclosure, or figuring the animals will be found and taken care of. In either case the scenario has turned tragic for dogs, cats, birds, horses and other animals.

“Abandoning pets for any reason, is not only irresponsible — it is illegal,” said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for companion animals at The Humane Society of the United States, in a statement released by the organization early this month.

The HSUS press release offers good, responsible alternatives including foster care for animals.

Being forced to move into a rental property that does not accept pets, or not being able to afford to live in one that does, is no excuse for leaving pets — which many people consider to be another member of the family.

There is help available. All it takes is a phone call or a search on the Internet for solutions. If you’re looking at a situation like this, use those tools and get help. Foreclosure effects EVERYONE in the family — human and otherwise.