Why are pet owners surrendering their animals?

Pet owners are surrendering their animals primarily because of the rising costs associated with pet care, such as food and veterinary bills.

What is the increase in animal intake in Chicago?

Chicago Animal Care and Control experienced a 16.6% increase in animal intake in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 17,788 animals received.

How much have pet care costs increased recently?

The cost to care for pets has seen a 10% increase over the last year, according to data from Rover.

Home / Business and Economy / Pet Costs Soar, Owners Surrender Beloved Animals

Pet Costs Soar, Owners Surrender Beloved Animals

2 Apr

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Summary

More owners surrender pets due to rising care costs.
Chicago animal intake rose by 16.6% last year.
Pet care expenses have increased by 10% recently.

Pet Costs Soar, Owners Surrender Beloved Animals

Rising expenses for pet care, including food and veterinary services, are forcing pet owners to surrender their animals. Chicago Animal Care and Control reported a significant increase in animal intake, receiving 17,788 animals in 2025, a 16.6% jump from the previous year. Of these, 5,734 were surrendered by their owners, indicating a direct impact of financial strain.

This trend reflects a broader issue of increased pet care costs. According to the pet sitting and dog walking app Rover, the overall cost to care for pets has risen by 10% in the last year. To address these challenges, organizations such as PAWS Chicago are providing outreach and resources to help owners manage their pets' needs.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.