Household pets — not just distressed homeowners — are being forced relocate because of the recent surge in Colorado foreclosures, according to DenverPost.com.

Unfortunately, many of the pets such as cats and dogs are being surrendered to local animal shelters, or worse, simply being left behind to fend for themselves.

Here’s a snip from the article:

“Hurricane Katrina, the mobilization for the Iraq war and even the Great Depression taught us that a financial disaster for humans will also become a disaster for their pets.”

The report indicates that efforts are currently underway through grant dollars to help distressed homeowners place their pets with new families. This awareness initiative will hopefully reduce the number of foreclosure pets that are abandoned and therefore susceptible to starvation, disease or predators.

In addition, the Humane Society of the United States is also apparently getting in on the action, recently “offering grants for shelters or rescue groups caring for this new category of abandoned animals.”

For information about you can help or make a donation contact The Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance at (303) 202-3516 or visit the Web site of The Humane Society of the United States right here. To adopt a foreclosure pet click here.