The recession is leaving animals without a home.
More owners are giving up their pets because they can no longer afford the care, said David Flagler, director of Alachua County Animal Services.
Last year, the shelter took in about 7,500 animals, and 834 dogs and cats were adopted, a decrease from 871 in 2008, according to the shelter’s annual report.
“One of the worst things is that pet owners are taking shortcuts for the care of their own pets,” Flagler said.
Dr. Julie Levy, director of Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at UF, said intakes and euthanasias have been decreasing the past few years thanks to rescue groups, but finding a way to increase adoptions this year is a priority.
“There may be some subtle increase in relinquishments, but the greater challenge is that adoptions are way down,” Levy said.
Impulse adoptions were more likely before the recession, Flagler said, but things aren’t back to normal yet.
“The economy could be improving,” Flagler said. “But it would still take several months to a year before it filters down to where it affects the animals.”
