With all the foreclosures, many people can't find a place that will take pets, and they are leaving the pets for the bank to cope with. It is happening a LOT, there have been several articles about it around here, the shelters and RISPCA have been begging people to at least turn the pets in and not just leave them; you have no way of knowing how soon the bank people will get there and find the pets.

Good that you have new neighbors in your future!