It’s not just people who are suffering because of rising housing costs, but now pets too. Orange County Animal Services said more dogs are being surrendered because of the housing market. “It’s heartbreaking,” said Bryant Almeida who works at the shelter. The shelter has seen a whopping 37% increase in surrendered pets recently compared to the same time last year. “It’s a family member. They don’t want to get rid of them. But sometimes people don’t feel that they have a choice,” Almeida said. He said families feel their hands are tied because they have to move to more affordable homes that often have animal restrictions. “Breed restrictions, size restrictions on the animals, so it makes it harder for them to keep families together,” Almeida said. Animal Services strongly supports spaying and neutering to combat pet overpopulation. They have a free program for qualifying low-income residents. And while surrenders have spiked, adoptions have dropped. Now, Orange County Animal Services has 150 dogs that need a home. “We want to be the last resort. There’s plenty of rescues that are willing to take in animals. Try family, try friends,” Almeida said. “We don’t want the shelter to be the first place that people send their animals.”Animal Services also has a new partnership with SPCA Brevard, so that is a fourth clinic where the spay-neuter program is available.
It’s not just people who are suffering because of rising housing costs, but now pets too.
Orange County Animal Services said more dogs are being surrendered because of the housing market.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Bryant Almeida who works at the shelter.
The shelter has seen a whopping 37% increase in surrendered pets recently compared to the same time last year.
“It’s a family member. They don’t want to get rid of them. But sometimes people don’t feel that they have a choice,” Almeida said.
He said families feel their hands are tied because they have to move to more affordable homes that often have animal restrictions.
“Breed restrictions, size restrictions on the animals, so it makes it harder for them to keep families together,” Almeida said.
Animal Services strongly supports spaying and neutering to combat pet overpopulation. They have a free program for qualifying low-income residents.
And while surrenders have spiked, adoptions have dropped. Now, Orange County Animal Services has 150 dogs that need a home.
“We want to be the last resort. There’s plenty of rescues that are willing to take in animals. Try family, try friends,” Almeida said. “We don’t want the shelter to be the first place that people send their animals.”
Animal Services also has a new partnership with SPCA Brevard, so that is a fourth clinic where the spay-neuter program is available.
