From Home to Homeless: How Rising Rent Prices Are Forcing Families to Abandon Their Pets

How Rising Rent Prices Are Creating a Crisis for Cats and Dogs

In Florida and across the country, skyrocketing rent prices are not just displacing families—they’re displacing their pets, too. Every week, animal rescues and shelters are overwhelmed with heartbreaking stories of cats and dogs being abandoned in parks, left on the sides of roads, or tied to trees because their owners can no longer keep them. Many landlords now impose steep pet deposits, monthly “pet rent,” or strict breed and size restrictions. For families already struggling with inflated rent costs, these added expenses and rules can make keeping their pets feel impossible.

This heartbreaking trend accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, when job losses, housing shortages, and rent spikes collided. Families that once owned homes or rented affordable apartments are now facing eviction or moving into smaller, pet-restricted units. Instead of surrendering their animals to overburdened shelters, some pet owners resort to leaving them in unsafe places, hoping someone will rescue them. The truth is, these cats and dogs, once beloved members of a family, are now wandering the streets, confused and hungry.

Mary’s Story: Left Behind in a Dangerous Part of Town

Mary was discovered in one of the roughest parts of Fort Pierce, hiding under an old, rusted trailer. Her fur was filthy, crawling with fleas, and her body was so thin her ribs were sharp against her skin. She had been surviving off scraps meant for a colony of stray cats, desperately trying to stay alive after being abandoned. A neighbor told us her family had been evicted and simply left her behind with nothing, no food, no water, and no safety. When we brought Mary home, she trembled but wagged her tail faintly, as if she still had hope. Today, Mary is thriving, but her story is just one of many we encounter every week.

Rice’s Story: A Puppy Rejected by Her Mother

Rice, our Catahoula mix, was barely hanging on when we found her. She was just a tiny puppy, rejected by her mother on a rural farm. Without intervention, she wouldn’t have survived the night—she was cold, weak, and alone. Taking her into our care meant bottle-feeding her through the night and giving her the warmth and love she desperately needed. Rice is now a lively, strong dog with bright blue eyes and a playful spirit, but her survival was purely due to rescue efforts.

Why This Matters

When animals like Mary and Rice are left to fend for themselves, their chances of survival are slim. Dogs dumped in remote areas, like the Redlands, face starvation, injury, and even cruelty. Cats form colonies and reproduce quickly when not spayed or neutered, which only worsens the cycle of suffering. Shelters are beyond capacity, and rescues like The Florida Cat & Dog Project are the last hope for many of these animals.

What We Can Do Together

1. Advocate for Pet-Friendly Housing: Encourage landlords to adopt reasonable pet policies.

2. Raise Awareness About ESA Registration: Emotional support animal protections can help families avoid losing their pets due to housing restrictions.

3. Support Rescues and Shelters: Donations fund critical medical care, food, and safe housing for abandoned pets.

4. Spay/Neuter Programs: Reduce stray populations and prevent unnecessary suffering.

   
   
   
   

Be Part of the Solution

At The Florida Cat & Dog Project, we see stories like Mary’s and Rice’s far too often. These animals didn’t ask to be abandoned,they simply want love and safety. With your help, we can continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome the pets left behind by rising rent prices and housing crises.

You can make a difference today. A small donation helps buy food, vaccines, and lifesaving medical care for animals in desperate need. Consider sponsoring a rescue like Mary or Rice, or becoming a monthly donor to help us save more lives. Every dollar directly impacts an animal’s journey from abandoned to adopted.

Join our mission - because every pet deserves a home and a second chance.

---

About Natalia Camden

Natalia is a writer, an explorer, and researcher. She studies Forensic Psychology at the Southern New Hampshire University. Natalia writes and speaks about taking risks, exploring cultural and generational diversities and how they affect our society today. She has been writing content for over 16 years. Natalia is also an enthusiastic animal lover, and has provided a loving home for five rescued pups - Griffin, Ava, Rice, Dexter and Mary. Beyond writing, she finds fulfilment in spending time with nature; from nurturing blossoming gardens to delving deep into the wilderness on her hikes. For her, nothing is more spiritually nourishing than exploring the great outdoors. "Our evolution continues despite our resistance to it – and resistance is exactly what continues to drive me forward" - Natalia Camden. Read more 

---