23 Million Pets in Poverty and the Healthcare Gap We Must Bridge
Have you noticed that almost everyone has a pet? In fact, I’ve noticed more people and couples with dogs than with children. As of 2024, 66 percent of U.S. households owned a pet and yet there are another 6-8 million cats and dogs that enter shelters each year, oftentimes given up because families can no longer support another family member.
Interestingly, at least 37 million millennials have pets, and a significant portion of millennial non-parent couples, a whopping 44 percent , are choosing to be childless, with 75 percent stating they consider their pet their fur baby. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, one of the main reasons to remain childless is the cost of raising children. And yet, having and caring for pets can be a major expense too.
In a recent poll over 90% of pet owners feel their companion pet is a family member. But this should not come as a surprise, since it has been demonstrated in numerous studies including The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), that having a pet helps us live healthier lives and has physical, mental and social health benefits for both pets and humans. But what about those pets living with families in poverty? It is estimated that approximately 20-23 million pets in the U.S. live in poverty with their families.
It is a devastating thought having to choose the welfare of your pet over your own well-being. But a significant portion of these pet owners struggle to afford or access veterinary care for their pets. And while two-thirds of US households own a pet, only about 24 percent of pet owners have pet insurance, meaning the vast majority of pet owning households do not have or cannot afford pet insurance.
I remember not too long, coming across someone who had a very ill senior dog needing immediate medical attention. She had reached out for help from others hoping to gain enough support for the dog’s surgery. It was a life or death moment for her dog. I contacted her wanting to learn more about the dog’s diagnosis and prognosis. The woman allowed me to speak to her veterinarian where I learned the hopelessness of her dog’s condition. I wanted to help in some small way and learning that her dog would likely die during the surgery, I now realized I had to comfort the woman with the truth and hoped she would consider spending the remaining time with her dog rather than having him die alone during surgery. It was an emotional moment for us both. She told me she agreed and understood that her dog was too old and too ill to survive, but she didn’t have the means to even have her pet euthanized. It was that moment I knew I could help and offered to pay the expense. It was all she needed to hear and tearfully she knew her fur baby would no longer suffer. I contacted the Vet who kindly handled the rest. But it was an awakening moment for me realizing how many pets suffer without adequate veterinary care.
This is just one story. There are many stories out there of owners struggling to care for the pets they love.
It is our desire and goal to work with Veterinarians to offer a discount for pet care to qualified pet owners or offer free clinic time for those pets in need.
Author: Mary Ann Meshkin
