At a time when many families are struggling with increasing living costs, it can lead to having to make some difficult decisions. This scenario might mean free holidays and fewer luxuries, but for some, it can mean making great sacrifices, such as surrendering pets. This heartbreaking decision has to be made by some families as they find that it has become necessary to give up animals that are much-loved members of their family.
A recent Redfin‑commissioned survey reveals that 44.4% of U.S. homeowners and renters report struggling to afford their monthly housing costs. These costs can include rent, mortgage payments, and expenses like utilities and insurance. They found that 4.6% admitted to giving up their pet(s) as a direct consequence of rising housing costs. This survey looked at every way households could cut back on aspects of life, such as missing meals, using savings, etc.
While 4.6% might not seem a large amount, if families are already struggling to make ends meet, they might have to decide between feeding their family and keeping their home or keeping their beloved pet. For some, that might mean the heartbreaking decision of surrendering pets.
As this survey has demonstrated for some families, it can be a challenge to keep up with the costs of maintenance for a home or to pay a mortgage. This might be a reason for families to surrender pets. And this can be even more complicated for renting. Tenants can frequently find that their property doesn't allow pets, restricts certain breeds, or sometimes even charges rent for a pet! When families have to move house as their tenancy has come to an end, and the new rental doesn’t allow pets.
Many local shelters have dogs surrendered to them because their new rental property does not allow dogs. When rentals and especially those that are the right size for a family, in the right location, and reasonably affordable, they might have to take the place and face the painful decision of surrendering pets to secure a place to live.
And the challenges of rising housing costs make daily expenses harder to achieve. Ongoing costs of pet ownership can be a reason for surrendering pets, especially dogs, for some families. If parents are struggling to put enough food on the table, or to buy clothes for their kids, or medicines, then they might just not have enough spare cash to pay for the ongoing costs involved in caring for a dog. This might include food, grooming, veterinary care, medicines, spaying or neutering, dog insurance, and unexpected emergencies. This can be too much of a risk for some families, especially if their dog has a health condition that needs regular veterinarian care.
The average cost of pet ownership is $40 per month, but it can be less and it can be significantly more. And it doesn't get more affordable. Families are constantly facing price increases, and as a dog ages, they are likely to cost more as they might need specialist food, medicines, and more frequent veterinarian trips.
For those who surrender pets, it is a decision they have made; the choice of giving up a loyal and loving family companion can place a significant emotional weight on the owners. Families don’t often give up pets for adoption lightly, and it can be heartbreaking. This experience can lead to feelings of guilt, grief, and shame, and can leave owners feeling judged and as though they have failed their companion. This can have a significant emotional and psychological toll on people.
For many shelters, the reasons given are often related to housing issues, like rising insurance and utility costs. Some families are forced to surrender their pet due to eviction, relocation, or they find themselves a full-time carer for a sick family member. Families often feel as though they have no choice when surrendering pets to a shelter. It can also have an impact on the surrendered pet. They might suffer from anxiety and stress, and find it a challenge to settle into a new home.
As more families surrender pets due to rising housing costs, there is greater pressure placed on shelters and rescue organisations, and they can become full, overwhelmed, and struggle to have enough funding. If more people feel the strain of day-to-day living, it can mean that donation to shelters also reduces, and shelters can have to make difficult decisions as well, especially if there is an increase in the number of abandoned dogs. As more dogs are surrendered, shelter costs increase, and this can really put a strain on already overstretched charities.
There are many reasons for surrendering pets, and for families, it is sometimes associated with housing costs. It can, for some families, be a decision between providing food for their family, new clothes for their kids or their dog's needs, and so many cherished pets end up losing out in this scenario.
It is not always just a case of earning more money; some families end up moving into a new rental that does not allow pets. Or perhaps their dog has developed significant health needs, and the cost of veterinary bills has begun to spiral. And the heartbreaking decision to surrender a beloved pet is made.
At the heart of the problem, communities, charities, and policymakers realise the need for affordable housing, pet‑friendly rental policies, and access to subsidised pet care. And when these issues are addressed, it will help reduce the need for many families to face the challenging decision to surrender pets.
03 November, 2025