Pet owners are giving up their dogs and cats at an alarming rate.

This is just another example of how our failing economy is affecting the American household. A family is more than just a legal guardian and 1.2 children, but also includes the family pet.

Breed rescues are seeing this on a daily basis, pet owners walking in, making a decision that they feel is no longer in their control. Many times they feel the pressure and anxiety of credit card debt looming over their heads. This is an unfortunate result of our present times.

Examples of households making the decision of settling their debt, or taking care of a beloved member of the home have been showing up all over our country. From households  turning in their pets in order to pay for medical bills, to people  euthanizing their dogs and cats so they can afford to keep from falling behind on credit card debt and pay household bills. The economic downfall is making it increasingly complicated for some people  to justify putting down as much as a thousand dollars annually or more on the medical care and food for their dogs and cats.

The population growth at animal shelters around America shows how the fragile economy is also reducing the pool of likley adopters.
The recoil effect has been overpopulation of shelters causing a faster rate of pets being euthanized, and numerious shelters turning away families looking to surrender pets.  Of the estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats sent to animal shelters every year, over half are put down what is left is found new homes.

Having to make the decision to surrender a pet can exact deep emotional scars on a family unit, even more on the children who have no understanding of economic pain. We cannot expect them to be aware of the immense decision their parents have to make, surrendering their pet to ensure after they pay their bills and credit card debt they can be fed and clothed.

The only other option for many people other than leaving their family pet is to dig themselves out of debt. Debt settlement companies can help families lower their monthly house hold expenses eliminating their need to make the tough decision to allow their pet to be put to sleep. The more people understand that there are options; the less stress will be put on the local shelters trying to deal with this issue on a daily basis.

Another option is to find a person or family member willing to temporarily adopt your pet. This would allow you to relax knowing they are well taken care of and loved. This would allow you to take time and create a debt relief plan putting them in a position to once again make their pet a part of the household again.