Financial strain could force many pet owners to rehome their animals
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Starting Saturday, SNAP benefits won’t be loaded onto EBT cards for people to buy food, which may put an extra financial strain on SNAP recipients that are pet owners.
Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue Director Melody Whitworth said she’s seen a year-long trend of people rehoming pets because they can no longer afford pet care.
“Even without the SNAP benefits being pulled, everything has gone up in price. Everything,” Whitworth said. “You go to the store, groceries cost more, utilities cost more, rent’s going up, people have lost their jobs, people have gotten their hours cut and so that has led to the beginning of the rehoming crisis.”
Unchained Melodies doesn’t rehome dogs often, and refers people to other shelters or rescues in the area. Whitworth said animal shelters can take in pets when space is available, but many are already full.
“If people can’t find a shelter or rescuer to take them in, they go out and dump them on somebody’s property or out in the country,” Whitworth said.
The Central Missouri Humane Society website suggests pet owners should try to rehome their pet before allowing CHMS to take over because it’s a faster process, pets don’t enjoy being in the shelter and pet owners can decide who their pet goes to.
CMHS also has a free pet food pantry for anyone in need that is open on the first Saturday of the month, Tuesdays and Thursdays.