Slumping Economy Taking Toll on Pets
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Slumping Economy Taking Toll on Pets
Slumping Economy Taking Toll on Pets
Photo By: Bettina Boateng
One of 150 animals at the Animal Shelter of Pell City, this puppy will go home with a new owner today. Others are not so lucky.
At the Animal Shelter of Pell City, more and more dogs and cats are being surrendered, every day. In the past two months alone the shelter has taken in more animals than ever.
In the month of May the shelter took in 834 animals. In June 832 animals were accepted. As for the month of July, workers say they will likely surpass the 800 mark again. Shelter workers say the number one reason people are surrendering their pets is because they can no longer afford to take care of them while dealing with rising prices and in some cases unexpected job losses or moving from a house to an apartment.
“The more that people have to spend on gas and food and things to keep their families going, the less money they will have to spend on their pets and the less money they are going to have to spend for luxuries. We know that l adopting a pet is a luxury and hopefully our adoption rate will not go down but we have a feeling that it will,” Animal Shelter Volunteer Melissa Wilson said.
The struggling economy is also taking a toll on the shelter when it comes to finances.
“The more animals we take in the more money that we have to spend on food,” Wilson said.
To add to the woes, all shelters have a limited number of animals they can house. When a shelter passes their limit they must euthanize some pets in their care. Wilson adds that with the increased number of animal surrenders adding to their overall shelter population, the number of euthanized animals are currently increasing.
If you would like more information on pet adoptions in St. Clair County or how you can volunteer at the Pell City Animal Shelter, visit their website at the web address below.
Animal Shelter of Pell City - http://members.petfinder.com/~AL61/index.html
Listings of Local Animal Shelters Throughout the Birmingham Area
Anniston
Anniston Animal Shelter
1201 Parkwood Drive, Anniston, AL 36201 (205) 236-1581
Bessemer
Bessemer Humane Society
Humane Society
1230 15th Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020 (205) 425-0610
West Jefferson County Humane Society
1230 15th Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020 (205) 425-0610
Birmingham
Greater Birmingham Humane Society
1713 Lomb Ave, Birmingham, AL 35208 (205) 942-1211
Shelby County Mobile Adoptions
2652 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham, AL 35244 (205) 408-0250
Clanton
Chilton County Humane Society
139 Shade Tree Drive, Clanton, AL 35045 (205) 755-9170
Cullman
Cullman City Animal Shelter
935 Convent Rd NE, Cullman, AL 35055 (205) 734-5448
Gadsden
Humane Society of Etowah County
1700 Chestnut St, Gadsden, AL 35901 (256) 547-4846
Homewood
Alabama Animal Adoption Society
2808 Crescent Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 (205) 871-6351
Northport
Metro Animal Shelter
510 Martin Luther King Blvd, Northport, AL 35476 (205) 345-7996
Pelham
Alabama Wildlife Rescue Service
Oak Mountain State Park Rd, Pelham, AL (205) 663-7930
Sylacauga
South Talladega Animal Shelter
300 W 2nd St, Sylacauga, AL 35150 (205) 249-9358
Tuscaloosa
Metro Animal Shelter
3140 35th St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (205) 752-9101
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Reader Reactions
Not all, but the majority of people dumping their animals are just using the economy/gas prices/etc. as an excuse to ease their conscience. They know what they’re doing is wrong and it will still be wrong when they go get the next puppy/cat/whatever they just “have to have!!“. Me-me-me. I want, I want, I WANT.
Animals are NOT disposable!!
WAA-WAA-WAA. Most of these animals are being dropped off because the owners are just plain old tired of them. The gas crunch is just an excuse to ease their conscience. You only have to work in a shelter for 1 day (maybe 1 hour) to realize it as you watch these “poor” people drive off in their big, hulking, gas-guzzling SUVs! Animals are not disposable!!
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