Economy tough on pets

We know a failing economy has been tough on us humans, but it's also tough on pets according to a recent article in the Dallas Morning News.

Faced with costs for care and treatment they can no longer afford, more pet owners are skimping on vaccinations, cutting down on expenses or skipping veterinary care altogether, experts say. Others are taking a more dramatic step, surrendering the animals to shelters or, in the cases of sick or injured pets, opting for euthanasia instead of the financial burden of long-term medical care.

The actual toll the economy has taken has been hard to measure because of a lack of statistics. However, one study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that the financial state of half of pet owner respondents was worse in 2008. In addition, 1/3 of vets surveyed reported a decline in visits.

Shelters are also seeing an influx of pets, many of which are due to the financial struggles of their owners.

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