Economic Pressures Force Americans to Abandon Pets, Burdening Shelters

Amidst loneliness and confinement at home, countless Americans sought solace in animals during the initial stages of the Covid-19 outbreak. They embraced cats and dogs from shelters at an unprecedented rate, finding companionship and solace. Videos showcasing vacant animal shelters became internet sensations, with Wired dubbing it “the feel-good pandemic story you need right now.”

Reversing Progress

Bobby Mann, the Chief Programs Officer at the Humane Rescue Alliance, the largest animal shelter in the Washington, DC area, described the period as a gratifying phase for animal welfare. Adoptions soared noticeably during this time.

However, the dynamics shifted in 2021, witnessing an influx of animals entering shelters and fewer leaving, leading to a surge in occupancy. Shelters from various locations, spanning Rhode Island to Seattle, are grappling with full capacities, prompting the distressing outcome of more dogs being euthanized due to spatial constraints. Recent data revealed that nearly half of surveyed shelters encountered a rise in euthanized dogs, while a mere 10 percent noted a decrease.

A municipal shelter emphasized the dire situation, stating, “Perfectly adoptable dogs are losing their lives and it is a crisis. We need volunteers, fosters, and adopters.”

The current trend jeopardizes decades of progress made by animal shelters in reducing euthanasia rates. In the 1970s, over a fifth of the 65 million US dogs and cats were euthanized, but by 2019, less than 0.7 percent of the 135 million population met this fate.

Not Commodities

Unlike excess Peloton bikes gathering in warehouses as consumer demand shifts, animals are living beings treated like commodities. This mismatch between demand and supply leads to significant suffering. Shelters are left with the grim options of cramming animals in overcrowded, clamorous conditions, resorting to euthanasia, or denying them care. The imbalance in the treatment of animals as products amplifies the gravity of this situation.

A significant portion of the animals entering shelters at present are strays, with owner surrender rates having declined recently. Yet, an intriguing pattern emerges: from January to June 2023, there has been an 8 percent surge in stray intakes compared to the same period in 2022, and a substantial 26 percent rise in contrast to the corresponding time frame in 2021. However, the reasons behind this surge in street-bound animals remain somewhat enigmatic.

Unethical Actions

One theory posits that a portion of these strays might actually be concealed owner surrenders. In 2020, due to Covid-19 precautions, numerous animal shelters transitioned to an appointment-based system for surrenders, a practice that persists in many shelters. Given the overwhelming demand for surrender appointments, some individuals might be attempting to bypass the waiting list by feigning discovery of a stray animal (which doesn't necessitate an appointment). Alternatively, pets could be abandoned outright on the streets.

While it's tempting to hastily judge those relinquishing their animals, it's important to recognize that financial constraints often underpin these decisions. The primary reason for pet relinquishment, particularly among dogs, is not necessarily callousness, but rather the inability to afford their upkeep.

For families with limited income, securing affordable housing is already challenging, and finding pet-friendly accommodations exacerbates the ordeal. Many apartment complexes prohibit specific breeds or dogs surpassing a certain weight limit. A notable trend observed is the influx of larger dogs, weighing 40–50 pounds, being taken in by shelters, as highlighted by Mann from the Humane Rescue Alliance. The broader context underscores that pet relinquishment is often intertwined with complex socio-economic factors.