People have been dropping beloved pets  off at local shelters at an alarming rate.

This is just another sign of how this recession is affecting the U.S. household. A household is more than just parents and 1.2 children, but also includes the family pet.

Breed rescues are seeing this on a consistant basis, people coming in, having to make a decision that they feel is isn’t in their control. Often times they feel the stress and anxiety of credit card debt looming over their heads. This is an regrettable spin-off of our recient times.

Examples of people making the decision of dealing with their debt, or taking care of a prized member of the family have been showing up all over our cities. From people  turning in their pets in order to pay for medical bills, to pet owners  putting down their dogs and cats so they can afford to dig out of debt and keep their head above water. The economic downfall is making it all the more difficult for some households  to justify shelling out as much as a thousand dollars each year or more on the care and food for their dogs and cats.

The population growth at animal shelters around America shows how the puny economy is also decreasing the pool of possible adopters.
The back lash has been overpopulation of shelters causing a faster rate of pets being put down, and some shelters turning away households looking to surrender dogs.  Of the estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats sent to animal shelters every year, over half are euthanized what is left is placed.

Having to abandon a dog or cat can wreak deep emotional scars on a household, even more on the children who don’t know about economic strain. We cannot expect them to appreciate the complex choice their parents have to make, giving up their cat to ensure after they pay their bills and debt they can be fed and clothed.

The only other option for many people other than leaving their dog is to dig themselves out of debt. Debt settlement companies can help families lower their monthly house hold expenses eliminating their need to make the immense decision to allow their pet to be killed. The more people understand that there are options; the less stress will be put on the local shelters trying to deal with this issue on a daily basis.

Another option is to find a person or family member able to temporarily adopt your family pet. This would allow you to be at ease knowing they are well taken care of and loved. This would allow you to take time and create a debt relief plan putting them in a position to once again make their cat a part of the household again.