Rising Pet Ownership Costs: How Tariffs Are Fueling Shelter Struggles and Surrender Rates

Rising Costs of Pet Ownership Pressure Families as Shelters Prepare for Increased Surrenders

Iowa City, Iowa — Families feel the weight of rising pet costs. Tariffs and other pressures push expenses higher. Forbes shows that a 10-year-old dog costs about $34,550 in a lifetime. A 16-year-old cat may cost nearly $32,170. These sums show a growing strain for pet owners who face high care costs.

Economic Pressures on Pet Owners

Devon Strief, the animal services coordinator at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, finds these costs hard to believe. She said, "The number was actually really mind-blowing to me." Her words link the high price to the strong duty that comes with pet care.

With money problems rising, many worry that more pets will end up at shelters. Tariffs from former policies, such as under President Trump, add strain. Families now struggle to cover basic pet needs.

Volunteer and pet trainer Darlene Olshansky says families are not ready for these costs. She stated, "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." Her words tie the surprise of the cost to the eventual surrender of pets.

Increased Surrenders Expected

Across the country, shelters like the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center see the cost strain. Strief notes that job losses and housing problems add to owners' stress. She added, "They can't live without vet care, they can't live without food. And once we start adding more expenses to those, it's just going to create more problems for the community — for them to be able to keep their animals and give them their basic needs." Her words connect the loss of income to a rise in shelter surrenders.

Many families face different pressures. Tariffs and economic problems force owners to give up pets when costs rise too high. Every step links the struggle to the fate of many animals.

A Call for Awareness

The Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center asks future pet owners to do careful research. Strief urges families to think about both the adoption fee and later costs like vet care, food, and more.

"There are shelters and rescues everywhere that are just exploding with animals," Strief warned. Her words tie the overflow of pets to the lack of space. She explained, "They don't have the cages or kennels to keep them in a humane way that's justifiable long term. It's not fair for the animals, and it's really hard for the employees." Her sentence links the shelter conditions to a growing crisis that harms all involved.

As pet cost problems grow, community members should think hard before bringing a new pet into their homes. Clear research can help ease the burden on shelters and ensure care for many animals in need.

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