Countless news articles have recounted the dismal stories of families faced with foreclosures during the recession. But one byproduct of this catastrophe that’s often overlooked is the fate of “foreclosure pets,” a term Laura Pople uses to refer to pets victimized in the event of a foreclosure. In response to hearing stories that a number of families were unable to support their pets after facing foreclosure, Pople started Seer Farms in New Jersey to house the homeless pets.

Pople’s story opens a door for discussion on the compound negative effects on families faced with foreclosure.  It’s likely that many of the families in the United States that lost their homes also lost jobs and the ability to pay for luxuries like multiple cars, vacations and their beloved pets. This sweeping loss can be a recipe for a shock to one’s psychological health. These stressors can easily lead to anxiety, loss of sleep and depression. Victims of foreclosure may feel their livelihoods crumbling around them like a house of cards.

Biofeedback coupled with regular counseling can help patients cope with the stress of foreclosure by identifying specific stressors and tools to combat their negative effects. There may be a long road back to normalcy, but the key is to start making sound decisions which may involve making new provisions for pets and loved ones, seeking the aid of a therapist, and reaching out to the community for support.