This is really sad, but part of the problem is that banks were lending money to people to buy homes who clearly couldn't afford them. In the past, banks would not loan money to people who they felt would not be able to pay off the loan, but the banks were counting on the growth of the real estate market, to make them money even if the people defaulted on their loans. This didn't happen, and everyone lost out.
People who are giving up their pets are probably getting forced out of their homes. It's not easy to find apartments that will take pets, and if you do, many can't afford the extra deposits and monthly payments. I doubt if it's just the cost of pet food that is making people abandon their pets. |