‘Very painful out there’ as Lowcountry pet owners struggle to keep pets amid rising costs
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. —
The rising cost of caring for a pet is creating financial challenges for some owners across the Lowcountry, according to animal rescues in Georgia and South Carolina.
Staff at Renegade Paws Rescue in Savannah and Palmetto Animal League in Ridgeland say they are seeing more people ask to surrender their pets because they can no longer afford to care for them.
National data shows owner surrenders accounted for about 30% of dog and cat intakes last year.
“The economic impact on people right now has made it a lot harder for them to keep their other family members that we call pets,” Amy Campanini, president of Palmetto Animal League, said.
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Two dogs look through the kennel fencing at Renegade Paws Rescue, where staff care for animals awaiting foster or permanent homes.
The cost of veterinary care has increased 42% over the last five years, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The price of pet food and treats has also increased 25% during that time.
Those costs come on top of higher prices for groceries, housing and other basic expenses.
“We’ve really seen the need at the food banks,” Campanini said. “Particularly, we have several in Jasper County that we supply, and they have requested almost double what they usually receive from us. So it’s very painful out there for a lot of people.”
The rising cost of pet care is also reflected in the number of surrender requests received by Renegade Paws Rescue.
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A brown dog wearing an orange collar drinks from a metal bowl inside a kennel at Renegade Paws Rescue in Savannah.
The Savannah rescue said it received 636 applications from owners looking to surrender their dogs over the past five months. That number does not include people who called or walked in asking for help.
Renegade Paws staff member Kyler Sares said the rescue can house only about 50 to 60 dogs at a time.
“There’s no way that we can meet that standard of need for people in the community,” Sares said.
Rescue staff said housing is another factor contributing to surrender requests. Some rentals do not allow pets or restrict certain breeds, while others charge pet deposits, monthly fees or additional rent.
“A lot of places don’t give you a lot of notice,” Sares said. “It’s extremely expensive to pay the extra on top of the rent that we already have.”
Those costs can leave some owners struggling to afford both their housing and their pets.
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Two tabby kittens rest inside an enclosure at Palmetto Animal League.
The rescues said veterinary care, medication, food and other supplies can also quickly become a financial burden. They are encouraging owners who are struggling to reach out before surrendering their pets.
“We can offer medical care. And we also have a food bank,” she said.
Renegade Paws and Palmetto Animal League are also asking people who are able to help to consider fostering or volunteering.
For more information on the rescues and the services they provide, click on the links below.
