Broward County Animal Care and Adoption struggles with overcapacity as rising costs take a toll on pet owners
Broward County Animal Care and Adoption is currently grappling with a surge of new dogs that have exceeded its capacity, and the rising costs of living may be to blame.
According to Attiyya Atkins, the public information officer of Broward County Animal Care and Adoption, the facility is currently housing around 140 dogs, exceeding its capacity of 120. Although surges are typical, this is an unprecedented situation that has required staffers to get creative and convert administrative space into kennel space to house the new surrenders.
Atkins cited rising costs and changing economic conditions as some of the factors that are driving pet owners to surrender their animals. The situation is further complicated by the fact that adoptions are down, which may be due to the economic downturn, with fewer people adopting and more people rehoming their pets because of difficulties with stable housing.
Moreover, veterinary care costs have gone up, and pet food prices have increased significantly. According to the Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pet food prices went up 15.2% from February 2022 to 2023. This has created a challenging situation for Broward County Animal Care and Adoption, which is struggling to accommodate the growing number of animals.
To address the issue, the facility is appealing to the community for help. Staff at the shelter are asking for more volunteers and foster parents to help alleviate overcrowding. Struggling pet owners in Broward County can apply to get help with veterinary care costs, and pet food is available while supplies last.
The situation is dire, but the staff at Broward County Animal Care and Adoption is committed to finding solutions to help animals and pet owners in need. With the help of the community, they hope to overcome the challenges and continue to provide care and support to pets and their owners.
