Animal shelters across the United States are grappling with a surge in abandoned pets, creating a crisis as workers return to offices and the costs of pet essentials rise. The strain on shelters is evident, with a 6% increase in stray dogs taken in from January to November compared to 2022 and a substantial 22% rise since 2021, according to Shelter Animals Count, a survey encompassing nearly 7,000 national shelters.
Stephanie Filer, the executive director of Shelter Animals Count, warns that shelters are facing a literal crisis, with some contemplating closure, reduced hours, or limitations on the types of animals they accept. The increase in surrendered puppies and purebred dogs, in addition to older dogs, signifies a departure from the surge in pet adoptions witnessed during the pandemic.
The Animal Care Centers of NYC, the largest animal shelter in New York City, temporarily ceased accepting dog surrenders in October due to a population crisis. While they have resumed accepting surrenders, the influx of dogs has led to enclosures well below the preferred size, with makeshift kennels in hallways and offices.
Zoe Kenney of Animal Care Centers of NYC reports receiving up to 20 calls daily from pet owners seeking to surrender their animals. Financial instability, exacerbated by higher costs for groceries, rent, and pet-related expenses, is a significant factor. Kenney notes that some individuals face the difficult choice between putting food on their own plates or their pets’.
The Humane Society of the United States is advocating for pet-friendly housing policies to prevent surrenders. California, for instance, passed a law in 2022 to encourage the development of affordable housing that allows pets.
Financial strain and a decline in dog adoptions have impacted pet product retailers like Petco and Chewy, prompting adjustments to their product offerings.
Landlords, now empowered by the end of pandemic-era eviction restrictions, are enforcing pet policies, contributing to the surge in surrendered animals. The American Pet Products Association reports that dog owners paid an average of $344 annually for veterinary visits, $354 for food, and $315 for boarding in 2022.
Abandoned pets are increasingly being found in public spaces, illustrating the severity of the crisis. Grocery store manager Matthew Garbett in Atlanta recounts discovering a 50-pound Labrador mix tied to a telephone pole at his store, emphasizing the alarming rate at which people are giving up their pets.
The MSPCA-Angell, a Massachusetts nonprofit, accepted around 5,000 animals from other shelters that had reached capacity in the last year, underscoring the widespread strain on shelter resources. Overcrowded shelters not only make animals harder to handle and place but have also resulted in a rise in shelter deaths.
As Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at MSPCA-Angell, warns, the situation is evolving into a national dog crisis, driven by various compounding forces creating a perfect storm for animal shelters across the nation.
