Animal Shelters Are Overcrowded. To Solve The Problem, We Need To Take Better Care Of People First

Animal Shelters Are Overcrowded. To Solve The Problem, We Need To Take Better Care Of People First

Animal Shelters Are Overcrowded. To Solve The Problem, We Need To Take Better Care Of People First As more and more people see their dogs as quintessential members of the family, their care is incorporated into a dog owner’s “cost of living.” But in the United States, everyday people face a cost-of-living crisis.  Therefore, so do their pets. Along with rent and grocery costs, the price of pet care has risen dramatically in recent years. A Bank of America Institute report found that since 2019, prices of services like veterinary care and grooming have gone up 42%, with the cost of goods like food and treats surging 22%.  These barriers are leading to an influx of people surrendering their pets to shelters. “The main reason for pet surrender is, ‘I can’t afford it.’ Vet care is expensive, food is expensive, I mean, just human cost of living is expensive,” Risa Weinstock, the CEO of Animal Care Centers of New York City, told NBC News in July 2025. While shelters call on people to adopt, they …