Rising Pet Ownership Costs and Tariffs: Shelters Prepare for an Increase in Surrenders

Rising Costs of Pet Ownership Prompt Concerns of Increased Shelter Surrenders

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Pet ownership costs rise fast. Forbes data shows that a 10-year-old dog costs about $34,550 in a lifetime. A 16-year-old cat costs around $32,170. Tariffs from the U.S. government add to these costs. Local animal shelters now fear more pet surrenders.

Devon Strief, animal services coordinator at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, expresses real alarm. “The number was actually really mind-blowing to me,” she said. Her words bring attention to a heavy financial burden that pets bring to families.

As families feel this cost, experts worry. Tariffs, job losses, and housing troubles combine to stress household budgets. Volunteer and pet trainer Darlene Olshansky sees the change. “They’ll get them and take them home, and then they realize — wow, this is going to be a lot. And then those dogs end up in shelters,” she explained. Each word connects quickly to the next to help us see the cause and effect.

Economic Pressures on Pet Care

The Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center feels the strain. Many families now struggle with basic pet needs like vet care and food. “They can't live without vet care, they can't live without food. And once we add more expenses, more problems grow for the community,” Strief said. Her concern is clear: the rising costs hurt both pets and families. When people see they cannot meet these needs, they surrender their pets.

Growing Need for Awareness and Responsibility

The shelter urges future pet owners to do careful research about long-term costs. Strief warns, “There are shelters and rescues everywhere that are just exploding with animals. They don't have the cages or kennels to keep them in a humane way that is justifiable long term. It's not fair for the animals, and it's really hard for the employees.”

Community help and smart choices for pet care are more important now. Local shelters ask those who think about adopting to ponder the costs carefully. This thoughtfulness can ease hardships for pets and the caretakers who support them.

The Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center prepares for an uncertain future. The shelter worries that rising economic pressures may lead to more pet surrenders soon. This challenge may affect families, shelters, and our community for a long time.

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