Heather Koontz
EAST MONTPELIER — Could inflation, higher costs of living, and increased consumer strain be inadvertently impacting our four-legged friends? Industry statistics suggest that humans aren’t the only victims of an unstable economy — America’s dogs and cats are suffering too.
Erika Holm, co-executive director of the Central Vermont Humane Society (CVHS), said the organization has seen a change in adoption activity — especially now that pandemic-driven adoptions have slowed.
It’s an issue across the country. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the length of time that dogs stay in shelters before being adopted has increased over the last five years. Coupled with pre-existing capacity constraints, this extended stay means shelters must turn away animals in need and grapple with difficult decisions. Of the 5.8 million dogs and cats taken into shelters and rescues in 2025, the ASPCA reported that more than half a million were put down.
The Impact in Central Vermont
When it comes to pet ownership by state, Vermont consistently ranks at the top. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that nearly three out of four Vermont households have pets, and Vermont is the number one state for cat ownership. Despite this ranking, the Green Mountain State is not immune to the impact of decreased adoptions.
“The pandemic kind of changed everything,” Holm said. “All the animals flew out the door and surrenders were also way down. We’re now starting to see the effects of the pandemic when people were just giving away their animals and they weren’t bringing them to the shelter because everybody wanted a kitten.”
Holm said another “boomerang effect” of the pandemic is that animals were less likely to be spayed or neutered, leading to an increase in litters. In addition to typical surrender circumstances — such as owners moving to independent living or nursing homes — increased birth rates add strain to facilities already feeling the squeeze.
To top it off, increased costs of living and an unpredictable economy are also contributing to decreased adoption numbers and an uptick in owner surrenders.
“There are more surrenders for reasons of ‘I can’t afford to keep my animal, I can’t afford to feed them,’” Holm said. “But hand-in-hand with the poor economy is the housing crisis in Vermont, which means that a lot of people are being displaced and cannot find places where they can take their pet.”
Rising Cost of Pet Ownership
Access to appropriate housing and mounting consumer strain aren’t the only factors affecting pet ownership. According to the American Kennel Club, the cost of veterinary and daily care averages $2,500 a year. Annual expenses include food, grooming, vet care, pet sitting fees, and boarding but do not reflect the additional expense of supplies, training, and vaccinations. In addition, the American Pet Products Association reported a 74% increase in pet care expenses since 2018.
While the benefits may outweigh the costs for many animal lovers, these expenses could prevent potential pet owners from rescuing an animal in need. Holm said Central Vermont Humane Society’s adoption numbers aren’t significantly different from years past, but the length of stay has increased. Because the humane society doesn’t have space for a new dog until another gets adopted, this often means there is a waitlist for those looking to surrender their pets.
“It is absolutely correct that there is a bigger problem than what we have seen in the recent past,” Holm said.
This capacity limitation could result in a difficult situation for the owner and animal alike — but there are resources that can help. PAWSitive Pantry, a nonprofit in Vermont and Massachusetts, helps provide a safety net for pets and families who have fallen on hard times.
“The math is simple — pets have become expensive,” PAWSitive Pantry President Stacy LeBaron said. “PAWSitive Pantry exists to help families with pets be able to have access to pet food as a way to help ease the financial burden of pet ownership.”
The organization partners with the Vermont Foodbank to deliver dog and cat food to local food shelves. There are numerous PAWSitive Pantry sites in Central Vermont, including the Montpelier Food Pantry and Capstone Community Action in Barre.
“We don’t want anyone to have to surrender a pet because they can’t afford to feed them,” LeBaron said.
Steady Need for Homes and Fosters
The Central Vermont Humane Society currently has dogs and cats available for adoption and, in many cases, older animals are the most in need of a safe place to land.
“Everybody loves the kittens and the young adult cats,” Holm said. “But there’s an amazing amount of wonderful cats in the shelter that, for whatever reason, have lost their families and they sit there too long.”
For those interested in helping with Central Vermont Humane Society’smission but who aren’t prepared for a long-term commitment, the organization is always in need of foster homes. Fosters typically take in kittens that are too young for a shelter environment, pregnant cats, and other special-needs animals.
“It’s not all rainbows and butterflies, but it’s incredibly meaningful and important because we do not want litters of kittens in the shelter,” Holm said. “Fosters are so, so important for cats and kittens being successful at getting adopted and living in a new home.”
If responsible pet ownership does feel appropriate, the East Montpelier–based humane society has many animals waiting for homes, some of which have been at the adoption center for a long time. Potential adopters can meet their next best friend — like energetic beagle mix Indiana Jones or black kitten Clydette — by making an appointment with the group’s adoption center.
“Vermont is in a place for animal welfare right now that we haven’t been in for a while,” Holm said. “If people have the right homes for a pet and can afford them, Vermont’s pets need them.”
Visit centralvermonthumane.org to see the animals currently available for adoption.
