Want to help animals? Focus on supporting local shelters and facilities
Compared to February 2020, the cost of having and caring for a pet in the U.S. has jumped by more than 20%. And as the price tag of household necessities like groceries or medicine has gone to the moon, Americans are forced to make tough financial decisions.
In some cases, dogs and cats are budget items that sadly get the boot – and even the idea of adopting a pet takes a backseat. Recent polling finds 43% of pet owners are concerned about their ability to support their pets – a figure that jumps to 50% and 60% for members of the millennial and Gen Z generations, respectively.
As the number of families with the financial means to adopt homeless cats and dogs shrinks, fewer animals find forever homes. In fact, according to the Shelter Animals Count national database, more than 100,000 fewer dog adoptions were completed last year compared to 2019. And over the past three years, nearly 1 million animals have entered the country’s pet shelters without coming out – a surplus that is resulting in a capacity crisis.
What can be done about it?
Animal lovers who are able to financially support homeless pets should contribute to neighborhood SPCAs, humane societies or animal rescues rather than giving to large, national organizations. These are the facilities that do the most for homeless pets; it is their volunteers who house, care for and attempt to find homes for the animals.
National organizations like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States, for example, focus on other priorities. While their advertising may feature suffering cats and dogs, these organizations are not affiliated with community shelters. And in some cases, the massive advertising of these national groups in local markets like Sarasota can potentially hijack money that could have gone to area community shelters.
According to a new report released by the Center for the Environment and Welfare, the Humane Society of the United States and ASPCA give just 1% and 2% of their respective budgets to local pet shelters as financial grants. This lack of meaningful support is particularly puzzling given the organizations have combined annual budgets of more than $500 million.
Americans across the country are feeling an economic squeeze that is contributing to overburdened pet shelters. Animal lovers should ensure donations are effectively helping homeless cats and dogs in their communities. Local pet shelters need to be thrown a bigger bone.
Edwin Sayres is the former president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). He is currently a senior advisor to the Center for the Environment and Welfare. He resides in Sarasota.