CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control is nearly overflowing. Melissa Knicely with the shelter says it’s mainly because of the number of surrenders they regularly receive.
“It’s been in the thirties about the last week every day,” said outreach manager Melissa Knicely.
She says staff takes in between 20-40 animal surrenders daily. On Monday, it was 33. If high surrenders continue, Knicely says they may have to euthanize some animals to make room.
For now, they’ve waived the adoption fee of up to $120.
“I think a lot of people get caught up on well, if they can’t pay an adoption fee, then they can’t afford an animal because we know the care of that. Animals could be way more than the adoption fee,” Knicely said.
Christina Prejean saw the center’s ad about the waived fees on Instagram Friday and left with a new best friend.
“Her name is Nyla,” Prejean said.
Nyla will be her second dog after her first dog of 16 years passed away in October. She says she’s noticed that the pet costs have risen over the years.
“I know with dog food, if you especially if you want to get Fresh Pet, if you want to get the better stuff that is better for your dog, then you pay a little bit more. But if you get the cheaper dog food, then it can cause, you know, diseases later on,” Prejean said.
The American Pet Products Association reports the annual costs of owning a pet could reach several thousands of dollars.
“That’s if there’s no medical issues at all you’re looking at around that and that’s the minimum. You also want to add in the food, the heartworm prevention, the flea and tick medicine, all the things that they need monthly as well,” Knicely said.
An APPA survey shows that, in total, Americans spent $136.8 Billion on their pets in 2022. The cost of living adjustments have averaged a 2.6% Increase over the last decade.
Labor officials report consumers paid 3% more for items like food and energy over the past year.
“There’s all kinds of things to think about. But I do think that the economy is playing a big part. So it’s a trickle-down effect. The vet prices are more because its also costing them more as well,” Knicely said.
The waived adoption fees last through Sunday, March 9.
