On Dec. 22, Times staff writer John Simerman wrote a story about pets becoming a casualty of the foreclosure epidemic. People who have to move out sometimes don’t or can’t take their animals with them.

Real estate agents who specialize in foreclosed properties now sometimes find themselves also rescuing pets that have been left behind.

Tony La Russa, co-founder of Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), shocked after reading the above story, immediately made the following two Public Service Announcements (PSA) and sent them out to Bay Area radio and TV stations. If you know pet owners in the process of losing their home who could use a little help from their friends with their pets … please have them contact ARF for some assistance. Thanks.

30-SECOND PSA BY TONY LA RUSSA
Recently California had more than 39,000 foreclosure filings.
Increasingly, pet owners who lose their homes are abandoning their pets, often with tragic results.
If you face losing your home and pet, or would like to get involved helping others, please contact ARF at 925-256-1ARF (925-256-1273) or visit http://www.arf.net
If you lose your home, please don’t abandon your pets, please contact ARF.

20-SECOND PSA BY TONY LA RUSSA
Household foreclosures are at epidemic levels. Too often homeowners with a pet family member are facing the loss of their homes and pets.
Please don’t abandon your pets. If you need help or to be a part of the solution, contact ARF at 925-256-1ARF (925-256-1273) or http://www.arf.net

Thanks for caring. /gary