The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy studied 12 animal shelters for one year to discover the most common reasons for relinquishment. Here are the most common reasons:
Dogs:
- Moving (7%)
- Landlord not allowing pet (6%)
- Too many animals in household (4%)
- Cost of pet maintenance (5%)
- Owner having personal problems (4%)
- Inadequate facilities (4%)
- No homes available for litter mates (3%)
- Having no time for pet (4%)
- Pet illness(es) (4%)
- Biting (3%)
Cats:
- Moving (8%)
- Landlord not allowing pet (6%)
- Too many animals in household (11%)
- Cost of pet maintenance (6%)
- Owner having personal problems (4%)
- Inadequate facilities (2%)
- No homes available for litter mates (6%)
- Allergies in family (8%)
- House soiling (5%)
- Incompatibility with other pets (2%)