Economic Hardship Leads to Increase in Pet Surrenders

For almost 19 years, Melissa Knicely has worked at an animal shelter in North Carolina, where she has learned to recognize an unofficial and heartbreaking sign that the economy may be worsening: an increase in the number of people surrendering their pets.

This phenomenon occurred in the late 2000s during the financial crisis, and at other times when waves of layoffs hit the region, and in recent times when inflation increased.

In the past few months, this activity, referred to as “owner surrender,” has surged at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control in North Carolina, where Knicely works. So far this year, owner surrenders are almost 43% higher than last year, she said.

Causes of Pet Surrenders

Every aspect of pet ownership, from vet visits to food, beds, treats, and toys, has become expensive in recent years, with some costs increasing even more in the coming months. The burden of these increasing expenses for animal owners can be a deterioration in financial stability, including unwieldy debt loads, an unexpected medical event, or a job loss.

“It will be financially difficult for various reasons,” said Megan Larson, intake coordinator at Ruff Start Rescue, a Minnesota-based organization. A very common reason is that people cannot afford to stay in their current living situation, she said.

“It just breaks our hearts when people cry because they have to give up their animals because they have to move to a more affordable place, and that place that is more affordable for them does not allow animals,” she said. “This is a very devastating decision that these people have to make. People don’t want to do that.”

National Trend

The trend is not unique to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. In the past few months, animal rescues and shelters across the country have reported significant increases in animals, with several organizations citing financial difficulties as the reason for these owners’ decisions.

At the beginning of this month, the Animal Care Centers of New York reached a “breaking point” due to “critical capacity issues” and suspended intake. “This is not a decision that we take lightly, but we can no longer take in owner surrenders,” the shelter announced on July 18th. “With over 1,000 pets in our care, we are at a breaking point.”

In Chicago, the city’s animal and control office sounded the alarm in a May Instagram post, stating that in the first 20 days of May, they came to the shelter an average of 54 animals per day, a jump from April.

Perfect Storm

Animal shelters in the United States are facing a “perfect storm” of increasing living costs, financial constraints, a persistent lack of veterinarians, and increased supply costs, said Cesar Perea, Associate Vice President of Rescue for the American Humane Society.

In addition, in the years following the pandemic boom in pet ownership, rental properties have become increasingly restrictive about allowing animals, and there has been a noticeable increase in behavioral problems due to a lack of socialization in pandemic puppies, he added.

How to Help and Get Help

Local shelters, rescue organizations, and veterinarians can serve as the first point of contact and provide resources such as food, reduced or free medical care, pet care, training services, and temporary funding.

Local shelters and animal control agencies can also serve as resources. “Unfortunately, many people still view them as the ‘dog catcher’ and assume that every animal is being put to sleep there,” said Megan Larson of Minnesota’s Ruff Start Rescue.

Try to reach out to organizations before it becomes an emergency. It is not shameful to ask for help. Never abandon your animal. Instead, contact local organizations, including no-kill shelters and breed-specific rescues, and reach out to friends, family, or trustworthy acquaintances who may be able to offer a loving home.

If you want to help, consider becoming a foster, volunteering with your local rescue or shelter, or donating to reputable and licensed organizations.