Americans spend big bucks on their pets

by Willow Wyman-Chase and Ava Stubbs

People with pets are reaching for their wallets maybe a little too much this year. Average annual household spending on pets rose from $460 in 2013 to $770 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Ever since the pandemic, adoption rates for pets have been increasing. In April of 2020, peak quarantine time, adoption for cats and dogs increased by up to 250%. And pet owners are spending a lot of money.

“People are starting to look at their pets like they are human,” Business owner Kristine Rameriez said. “It’s making it easier to spoil them.”

Health Science teacher Inger Kuhl said she spends $10,000 on two cats, two dogs, three chickens, three geese, one mini goat and two donkeys. Kuhl says that the $10,000 a year will likely rise because Rascal, her small dog, has heart problems.

Health Science teacher Lori Jackson spends $6,000 for her pets a year food, meds, vet bills & boarding for three dogs. Two out of her three dogs need a spe- cial diet with more expensive food.

“You can tell we LOVE our fur babies,” Jackson said.

Jackson has three dogs, Pennie, Cole, and Finn. All of the dogs have very different personalities.

“Cole is a puppy mill rescue and loves to snuggle,” Jackson said. “He is my person, and I am his. I think I might love him more than my family (ha ha)!”

She bought Pennie from a breeder, and the dog is high maintenance and can be annoying, she says.

“Pennie loves ChuckIt! balls and her claim to fame is she can hold two in her mouth and chew on a 3rd one,” Jackson said.

Due to recent increase in demand, pet food is becoming more expensive, rising over 14% in the past year.

The initial cost of purchasing your pet isn’t the real expense–it’s the money you put into your pet after you adopt it. The healthcare costs, food, and fun toys will really run up your pet’s receipts.