{"id":46005,"date":"2013-11-21T15:59:07","date_gmt":"2013-11-21T23:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theavtimes.com\/?p=46005"},"modified":"2015-02-14T22:53:03","modified_gmt":"2015-02-15T06:53:03","slug":"local-realtors-rescue-pets-left-behind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2013\/11\/21\/local-realtors-rescue-pets-left-behind\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Realtors rescue pets left behind"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Elle<\/a>
Elle Stamsek, a Realtor\u00ae with Centennial Realty, has already place placed 24 animals, including dogs, cats, goats, fish and a hamster, into new homes. Stamsek fell in love with little Wiley (right) and decided to keep him herself. (Contributed photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS\u00ae (GAVAR)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The housing crisis of 2008 and its after-effects left many homeowners feeling victimized, as home values dropped and payments became unsustainable.\u00a0 Many an upside-down homeowner elected to abandon their properties, as foreclosures became their reality.<\/p>\n

Lost in the shuffle were many pets that were discarded along with the homes. Realtors\u00ae often found themselves on the front line, confronted by an abandoned dog, cat or more exotic pet.\u00a0 Few expected that animal rescues would become a part of their new job description.<\/p>\n

In committee meetings, members of the Greater Antelope Valley Association of REALTORS\u00ae (GAVAR) discovered that many had stories of animal rescues.\u00a0 Most stories were heartbreaking.\u00a0 Families losing their homes often shared that they couldn\u2019t stand the further heartache of euthanizing their pet. Abandonment seemed the less painful option.<\/p>\n

\"Stamsek<\/a>
Stamsek recently placed Bentley in a loving home with two little girls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Elle Stamsek<\/strong>, a Realtor\u00ae with Centennial Realty shared her first rescue.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a cute little pup that was so matted that I didn\u2019t know what kind of dog it was.\u00a0 I paid to have it cleaned and vaccinated and managed to place it with a former client.\u201d\u00a0 Stamsek went on to share that she\u2019s placed 24 animals, including dogs, cats, goats, fish and a hamster into new homes.<\/p>\n

Dana Haycock<\/strong>, a Coldwell Banker\/Hartwig Realtor had numerous stories, but indicated that perhaps her most interesting was the discovery of 20 fish tanks with exotic fish slowly perishing.\u00a0 She said, \u201cI have never seen such sad faces in my life.\u201d\u00a0 She inferred that if a fish can have a sad face, imagine the face of an abandoned dog or cat.\u00a0 A local pet store took them in and nursed them back to health.<\/p>\n

Local Realtors are not a shelter or rescue organization, but many have had personal experiences which have encouraged them to speak in favor of:<\/p>\n