A Tucson-based animal shelter says housing-related pet surrenders have tripled in the last year.
In past years, the number of pets surrendered due to housing issues made up about six percent of the animals handed over to the Pima Animal Care Center. Now, they make up about18 %.
Kayleigh Murdock is a spokesperson for the shelter. She said people are calling for a number of reasons from being evicted to increases in their rents.
“If someone’s getting priced out of their home, they may or may not be able to find a place that they can afford that will take their pets," Murdock said. "Even if they can afford it, they may not be able to afford the pet deposits or the pet rent that comes along with it.”
There are resources available to help, like Pima Animal Care Center's “safety net” program. which places pets in temporary foster homes until they can be returned to their owners.
“We facilitate the animal being matched with a foster parent who can watch it for generally up to 30-day increments," Murdock said, "while the owner is given the chance to get back on their feet.”
She said unfortunately, not every shelter is able to offer that.
