TEMPLE, Texas — A new poll from LendingTree shows 1 in 4 Gen Zers have surrendered a pet, and they say inflation is to blame.
Eighty-five percent of pet owners say inflation is making pet care more expensive. More than 1 in 3 pet owners have gone into debt to take care of their pet, according to the study.
Most Americans own a pet, but out of every four people who don't, one person says they just can't afford one. Almost 40% of former pet owners say they're done with pets altogether.
By age, Gen Zers are the most likely to go petless. Almost half of Gen Z pet owners considered it, according to the study.
This poll comes on the heels of a rising animal shelter crisis in Texas.
Shelters around Central Texas, including the Humane Society of Central Texas, have started giving away dogs for free to create more kennel space.
Other animal rescue organizations have resorted to shipping dogs to northern states, where the shelters aren't facing overcrowding. The Aggieland Humane Society said they transferred over 20 dogs to shelters in Oregon Aug 21. The Bosque County BARK rescue is raising money to send more of their shelter dogs to Iowa.
