Across-the-board budget crunches have resulted in a sharp increase in homeless animals, most tragically with older family pets, as more families have had to make the heartbreaking decision to release their furry companions.
The New York Times identified the problem on June 26, 2008, with the article "Homeless Pets Crowd Shelters as Families Hit Hard Times." Even a year ago, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) considered the wave of displaced animals to be “the most serious circumstance” in recent memory, as Wayne Pacelle, the Society’s president and CEO, told the paper.
Now, compounding the problem, tighter purse strings have led to decreases in charity donations for, which are the backbone for many shelter operations. Their other source of income, tax funding, has decreased with lower incomes and higher unemployment rates.
A similar problem erupted in the recession of 1992, when Animal Control officers reported finding numerous purebred dogs roaming the streets, and no-kill shelters were inundated with surrendered pets.
Efforts to Help the Animals
In an effort to combat the problem, the HSUS has begun issuing shelter grants. They developed a fund in March 2008, and use the money to supplement the tax dollars issued to shelters, and also aid private rescue groups. The grants range from $500 to $2,000, and mostly come from private donations. However, the money can only help a few shelters at a time, and months can pass before they issue additional rounds.
Another organization, First Home Forever Home (http://www.network.bestfriends.org/foreverhome), strives to help families keep their animals. They help facilitate food drives, and their Web site hosts forums and blogs for struggling pet owners to commiserate.
However, despite the aid, the rate of releases still outnumbers the space in shelters. Recent data shows that 3.2 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters each year, while only 20 percent of American pet seekers adopt from the shelters.
Desperate Time for Pet Owners
Some beleaguered owners, acknowledging the low placement rate for older animals, have taken to newspaper classified ads and Web sites like Craigslist.com. However, the sad truth holds that many beloved family pets do not find happily-ever-after homes.
When some owners get desperate, they take to releasing their pets into public areas, where many meet their demises. In April 2009, The Chicago Tribune told the sad story of Copper, a dog turned into the streets of Michigan, along with a note detailing his training and care. Tragically, a car struck and killed Copper before anyone could read it.
Another sad truth: for those able to take pets into their homes, hundreds of them still choose to buy expensive puppies, instead of considering adopting one of the surrendered pets.
Benefits of Pet Adoption
By going to pet stores instead of shelters, people also overlook the benefits of adoption. Surrendered pets are usually up-to-date on shots, housebroken, spayed or neutered, and demonstrate stable temperaments. The HSUS stresses that most surrendered pets are not turned over due to behavioral problems; rather, they lose their homes because of “people reasons:” allergies, life changes or, as the growing trends indicate, financial strain.
Shelter puppies require more time and training, but adopting them also comes with benefits. In addition to the altruistic advantage, many shelters partner with local veterinarians to offer discounted spays and neuters. In contrast, pet store puppies can cost up to several thousand dollars, and sterilization can create an additional cost.
Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions to pet abandonment. During this financial crisis, more families may have to make that heartbreaking decision, and can only hope that someone can help their beloved pet.
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