Rising Costs of Pet Ownership Prompt Concerns Over Shelter Surrenders
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Pet ownership has grown harder. Families now bear more burden. Rising tariffs and economic pressures shake households. Forbes shows pet care costs rise. A 10‐year-old dog now costs about $34,550. A 16‐year-old cat now costs about $32,170. ## Economic Strain on Pet Owners
Devon Strief works at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. She said, "The cost number was really mind-blowing to me." Strief links rising expenses to real, hard problems for pet owners. Tariffs add more strain on consumers. Strief and other shelter staff see a risk. They worry that higher expenses will force more people to surrender pets. Darlene Olshansky, a volunteer and pet trainer, added, "They get a pet, take it home, and then they see the cost. Soon, those dogs come to shelters."
The Impact of Tariffs and Job Losses
Tariffs, job losses, and housing problems now hurt families. These families find it hard to pay for pet care. Strief says key services like veterinary care and pet food now cost too much. "They cannot skip vet visits or food," she said. "When extra costs appear, problems grow for the community. It makes it hard to care for their animals and meet basic needs."
A Call for Responsible Pet Ownership
The Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center calls for careful thought. They ask future pet owners to research long-term pet costs. Strief sees shelters fill up fast. "There are so many shelters and rescues overrun with animals," she said. She notes that the lack of kennels and cages harms animal care. "It is not fair to the animals. It is also hard on the staff," Strief concluded.
Communities now face many challenges with these economic changes. Pet owners and those planning to adopt must think hard about the costs. They must work to keep their animals healthy and happy.
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