Economy hurting pets

A growing number of Americans are giving up their dogs and cats to animal shelters as the emotional bonds between people and pets are tested by economic ones.
AP in the Daily News.

Rising economic anxieties make it increasingly difficult for some pet owners to justify spending $1,000 a year or more on pet food, veterinary services and other costs.

The population growth at animal shelters in Connecticut, Nebraska, Texas, Utah and other states shows how the weak economy is also shrinking the pool of potential adopters. And it coincides with a dropoff in government funding and charitable donations.