Rising Pet Ownership Costs: How Tariffs are Straining Families and Filling Shelters

Rising Tariffs and Costs Increase Pressure on Pet Owners and Shelters

IOWA CITY, Iowa —
Pet costs now rise as tariffs hit hard. Forbes noted that a 10-year-old dog can cost around $34,550 over its life. A 16-year-old cat may cost about $32,170. Tariffs set by the Trump administration add to this strain. Local shelters, like the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, now worry about more pets being surrendered.

Economic Strain on Pet Owners

Devon Strief leads animal services at the Iowa City Center. She finds the cost figures shocking. "The number was actually really mind-blowing to me," she shared. Tariffs make it hard for families to pay for pet care. Many pet owners may soon find it too difficult to cover all these costs.

Darlene Olshansky, who volunteers and trains pets at the center, adds that new pet owners often misjudge the expense. She said, "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." This trend may grow as living costs increase.

Impact of Tariffs on Animal Care

Tariffs, job losses, and housing troubles mix into a perfect storm. Families now face a hard choice between basic needs and pet care. Devon explains, "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."

Local shelters now feel the pressure too. Devon notes, "There are shelters and rescues everywhere that are just exploding with animals." With little room and few resources, it is hard to care for all animals in a humane way.

Call for Responsible Pet Adoption

Because of these pressures, the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center urges people to think carefully before adopting. They ask that prospective owners learn all about the long-term costs first. Devon stresses, "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."

As shelters get ready for a rise in pet surrenders, the community is encouraged to look into adoptive opportunities with full knowledge of what pet care means. This way, everyone can share in the duty of caring for pets responsibly.

Stay Updated

For more news on pet care, adoption, and local events, check local news outlets and follow the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center on social media.

The struggles of pet owners today show why compassion and careful planning in pet ownership are so important.

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