Carson City shelter sees increase in pet surrenders, decrease in adoption due to housing issues
While most people in Carson City are feeling the pressure of a skyrocketing housing market, more restrictive rental agreements, and interest rates pushing the potential for homeownership into the horizon, there is another, less talked about consequence: pet surrenders.
With more individuals being priced out of owning their homes, they have no choice but to rent; however, more and more rentals are nixing animals altogether, meaning families are having to choose between their pets and homelessness.
"As a direct result of the housing crisis and state of the economy, we are seeing an increase in stray animals coming into our shelters as well as animal surrenders from community members who can't keep their pets," said Nicole Theodoulou of the Nevada Humane Society.
In addition to more pets coming in, there are also less pets going out thanks to these same restrictive housing issues.
"We are also seeing a decrease in interest in adoptions, specifically large dogs due to community members not being able to find housing that allows them," said Theodoulou.
In order to help relieve the shelters, the Nevada Humane Society has partnered with Best Friends Animal Network to offer a free adoption promotion all day on Friday, July 22.
On Friday at both the Reno and Carson City shelters, the Humane Society will be waiving adoption fees on all shelter pets to help them get adopted.
"This is the perfect day for community members looking to add a pet to their family to visit one of our shelters and meet their new furry soulmate," said Theodoulou. "Best Friends Animal Society will be covering the cost of all adoption fees all day long to make sure as many pets as possible find happy homes."
Interested in adoption? Take a look at the animals waiting for their new homes now!
The Carson City shelter is at 549 Airport Rd. In Reno the shelter is at 2825 Longley Ln B.