Moved by compassion for animals, Kathleen and Scottie Prince, have spent years rescuing pets, comforting grieving owners and caring for dogs and cats while owners were away. Unable to find accommodating landlords the Princes decided to buy a home of their own in Longwood in 1993. At the time, Scottie Prince worked as a medical courier and Kathleen was in television production, but the couple spent most of their leisure time caring for rescue pets, many of which were unlikely to be adopted because of health problems.
Six years after they bought their home, the couple quit their day jobs and formed Pookie Brothers Pet Sitting. They said they earned more than $4,000 monthly by sitting at least a few times weekly for regular customers. In 2005, they paid off credit-card debt by tapping about $25,000 in their home equity as part of a mortgage refinance.
But as the economy began slowing in 2006, so did the demand for pet sitting.
The Princes fell behind on their mortgage payments and appealed to their mortgage company, Ocwen Loan Servicing, to let them catch up. The ruthless loan servicer, Ocwen, took a hard line with them and continued with foreclosure proceedings. The mortgage debt and fees have now mounted to about $40,000 on the house, which is valued at about $100,000.
The house is also home to the couple's seven dogs, six cats, four birds and two bunnies.
Homes like these are foreclosed by Ocwen and sold through Altisource, enabling Altisource to earn thousands in real estate commissions, escrow and title fees, Buyer's Premium etc. Altisource and Ocwen share common ownership.
The kindhearted couple are trying to raise funds on ideagogo.com to save their home. According to Brian Wettstein, co-owner of the Doggie Door pet-supply store in Winter Park. "Scottie and Kathleen have been doing their thing in the pet community for so long — not only as pet sitters but also rescuing so many pets — that they have a huge connection to the community. That's why people are reaching out and contributing."
We are inspired by the Princes and their story has rejuvenated our commitment to fight foreclosures. There is no place for foreclosure and forced evictions in a humane society.
(The author, Saurabh Singh, is a student of the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a Foreclosure Prevention Activist and a vegan. He is also a member of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals(India), Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, UNITES Professionals and supports charitable causes and crowdfunding.)
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