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USA Today
5 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Pet health care prices are so high that most owners are skipping treatments
Pet health care prices are so high that most owners are skipping treatments The results were similar across all income levels. Pet advocates say that shows a need for vets to adjust to address clients' financial concerns. Show Caption Hide Caption Nationwide dropping pet insurance in some states Nationwide says inflation and pet veterinary care are among the reasons for dropping pet insurance. Fox - 35 Orlando Whether their bestie is Fido or Fifi, owners are getting more finicky about the costs of their pets' healthcare. More than half of owners – including those in high earning households – have skipped necessary veterinary care in the previous year or declined recommended treatment at some point in the past, mostly because of the associated costs, a national study has found. Seven in 10 people who skipped or declined care cited cost as the main reason, saying they couldn't afford it or didn't think it worth the expenditure, according to the study conducted by PetSmart Charities and Gallup. The results were surprisingly similar across all income levels, PetSmart Charities president Aimee Gilbreath said, demonstrating the need for vets to better accommodate their clients' financial concerns. 'There's a narrative that says this only affects folks in the bottom part of the income spectrum,' Gilbreath said. 'But it's all across the spectrum. That surprised me – and it worries me. If folks in the top half are struggling to afford primary vet care, who can afford vet care now?' According to 'The State of Pet Care' report, vet care costs in the U.S. have soared more than 60% since 2014, forcing many owners to forgo recommended treatment for their pets, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. 'At least 60% of households have a pet, and people love them as family members,' Gilbreath said. 'We don't think they should be a luxury item. They're good for people's mental, physical and emotional health, and if it becomes unaffordable that's a really sad situation.' Pet owners were expected to spend an estimated $39 billion in 2024, according to the American Pet Products Association, and a survey of dog owners conducted that year by found more than 44% of respondents felt their costs of care had risen significantly; 84% blamed veterinary care. Even higher income owners feel the pinch The survey of 2,498 U.S adults owning at least one dog or cat, conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, found that 52% of pet owners had skipped or declined care. Diagnostic procedures (22%), vaccinations (18%) and elective surgeries (16%) were the most commonly declined pet health care services, but 11% said they had turned down recommended medications and 7% said they had refused lifesaving surgeries. Of those who skipped or declined care, 71% of respondents said cost was the key factor. While that response was highest (80%) among those with a household income of between $36,000 and $60,000, nearly two-thirds (66%) of those earning $90,000 or more said the same. For those with higher incomes, it wasn't necessarily a matter of affordability: Only a third of those earning $90,000 or more said they couldn't afford the expense, compared to 72% of those with incomes between $36,000 and $60,000. However, 44% of those in the higher bracket said the cost wasn't worth it, compared to just 21% of those in the lower one. Gilbreath said pre-pandemic surveys had hinted at the growing issue as veterinary costs ballooned. 'If you look at vet pricing over the last five years, it has shot up faster than other indexes,' she said; inflation has compounded rising medical costs prompted in part by more expensive diagnostic testing and higher vet staff wages. 'For a lot of pet families, that dramatic cost increasing over a short period of time is making things very painful,' Gilbreath said. 'We're in a time when families are really stretched, and unexpected expenses like a big vet bill are hard to manage.' Payment plans could be a lifesaver for pets Animal shelters around the country said they're seeing the effects. 'We have seen an increase in owners surrendering their pets due to their inability to afford care or to find pet-friendly housing,' said Guinnevere Shuster of the Humane Society of Utah in Murray. Last year, the number of owners who turned in pets because they could not afford to care for them increased by more than 22%, she said. In Tennessee, the Nashville Humane Association partners with the Banfield Foundation to fund monthly low-cost clinics to help owners access more affordable veterinary care for their pets. 'With the cost of living increasing year after year across the United States and many private veterinary practices opening up, the cost of care has skyrocketed and appointments are filling up months out,' Whittemore said. 'We hope these clinics will alleviate some of the financial strain pet owners in our community are currently experiencing.' Additionally, Gilbreath said as owners have increasingly treated pets as part of the family, they've begun exploring medical options for animals not considered 20 years ago. 'There's options now that they didn't used to have, and that may be pulling costs up,' she said. 'There are treatments for dogs with cancer. You can get a CT scan and an MRI for your pet, or advanced orthopedic procedures. There's certain injuries where if a dog had them 20 years ago you would go with crate rest and pain management, and now you can have a surgery that costs $7,000.' PetSmart Charities estimates about 15% of pet households can afford gold-standard care. 'They want the best and most technologically advanced care,' Gilbreath said. 'But there's a lot of other households where that's not an option, and those folks should be able to get more affordable care.' Despite the financial constraints preventing access to vet care, 73% of owners who declined treatment weren't presented with more affordable alternatives, the study found, and fewer than one in four (23%) said they'd ever been offered a payment plan option. Providing payment-plan options would make a huge difference, the survey found. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said $1,000 or less would be the most they could afford if their pet had a life-threatening condition; however, if given a one-year, no-interest option, most said that would double what they could pay. 'We would love to see options like 18-month, interest-free financing,' Gilbreath said. 'More vets are starting to offer options, but it's relatively new.' While some cases – for example, a blocked intestine requiring surgery – mandate a single course of action, 'we would have thought far more people would be offered a payment plan or more affordable treatment option,' Gilbreath said. PetSmart Charities plans to survey veterinarians later this year in hopes of learning more about why, she added. 'Pets are family' Forgoing necessary or recommended pet care is linked with poor outcomes, the study found. Among those declining care, one in seven (14%) reported that their pets either worsened or died. Three in 10 pet owners (30%) said they had a friend or family member whose pet died in the past five years because of unaffordable treatment, and one in 10 (11%) knew someone who'd had to relinquish a pet because of care costs. Gilbreath recommends pet owners discuss possible treatment alternatives or payment options with their vets to find a solution that meets their needs. In addition, veterinary care or other resources can sometimes be found through community non-profit organizations or animal shelters with public-facing medical clinics. She noted the experience of a 'relatively well-off' woman who adopted a cat as she settled into her just-purchased home. The cat developed a dental condition that would have required expensive treatment. 'This woman was heartbroken,' she said. 'She didn't want the cat to suffer, so she gave it up to a shelter in hopes it would get the care it needed.' Wracked with guilt, the woman returned to the shelter the following day to retrieve the cat and learned that a community organization could provide the necessary care at a more affordable cost. 'She was able to get the cat back and get care she could afford,' Gilbreath said. Providing payment-plan options would make a huge difference, the survey found. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said $1,000 or less would be the most they could afford if their pet had a life-threatening condition; however, if given a one-year, no-interest option, most said that would double what they could pay. 'We would love to see options like 18-month, interest-free financing,' Gilbreath said. 'More vets are starting to offer options, but it's relatively new.' Additionally, Gilbreath said, veterinary schools could help by making students aware of low-tech treatment alternatives to high-tech ones so that they're comfortable offering a range of options. 'The data shows that many pet parents are not being presented with alternative care options that could make veterinary services more accessible, despite interest in such options," said Zach Hrynowski, a senior researcher at Gallup, in a press release accompanying the report. "Our analysis of the data points to a clear opportunity for the veterinary industry to expand affordable, flexible solutions that meet pet parents' needs.' Gilbreath said she hoped the report helps pet owners not feel alone or ashamed of their decisions, given how common such situations are. 'Pets are family,' Gilbreath said. 'For a lot of folks, they're the only family. That's why we do this work. We want pets and their people to be able to stay together.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pet health care prices are so high that most owners are skipping treatments
Whether their bestie is Fido or Fifi, owners are getting more finicky about the costs of their pets' healthcare. More than half of owners – including those in high earning households – have skipped necessary veterinary care in the previous year or declined recommended treatment at some point in the past, mostly because of the associated costs, a national study has found. Seven in 10 people who skipped or declined care cited cost as the main reason, saying they couldn't afford it or didn't think it worth the expenditure, according to the study conducted by PetSmart Charities and Gallup. The results were surprisingly similar across all income levels, PetSmart Charities president Aimee Gilbreath said, demonstrating the need for vets to better accommodate their clients' financial concerns. 'There's a narrative that says this only affects folks in the bottom part of the income spectrum,' Gilbreath said. 'But it's all across the spectrum. That surprised me – and it worries me. If folks in the top half are struggling to afford primary vet care, who can afford vet care now?' According to 'The State of Pet Care' report, vet care costs in the U.S. have soared more than 60% since 2014, forcing many owners to forgo recommended treatment for their pets, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. 'At least 60% of households have a pet, and people love them as family members,' Gilbreath said. 'We don't think they should be a luxury item. They're good for people's mental, physical and emotional health, and if it becomes unaffordable that's a really sad situation.' Pet owners were expected to spend an estimated $39 billion in 2024, according to the American Pet Products Association, and a survey of dog owners conducted that year by found more than 44% of respondents felt their costs of care had risen significantly; 84% blamed veterinary care. The survey of 2,498 U.S adults owning at least one dog or cat, conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, found that 52% of pet owners had skipped or declined care. Diagnostic procedures (22%), vaccinations (18%) and elective surgeries (16%) were the most commonly declined pet health care services, but 11% said they had turned down recommended medications and 7% said they had refused lifesaving surgeries. Of those who skipped or declined care, 71% of respondents said cost was the key factor. While that response was highest (80%) among those with a household income of between $36,000 and $60,000, nearly two-thirds (66%) of those earning $90,000 or more said the same. For those with higher incomes, it wasn't necessarily a matter of affordability: Only a third of those earning $90,000 or more said they couldn't afford the expense, compared to 72% of those with incomes between $36,000 and $60,000. However, 44% of those in the higher bracket said the cost wasn't worth it, compared to just 21% of those in the lower one. Gilbreath said pre-pandemic surveys had hinted at the growing issue as veterinary costs ballooned. 'If you look at vet pricing over the last five years, it has shot up faster than other indexes,' she said; inflation has compounded rising medical costs prompted in part by more expensive diagnostic testing and higher vet staff wages. 'For a lot of pet families, that dramatic cost increasing over a short period of time is making things very painful,' Gilbreath said. 'We're in a time when families are really stretched, and unexpected expenses like a big vet bill are hard to manage.' Animal shelters around the country said they're seeing the effects. 'We have seen an increase in owners surrendering their pets due to their inability to afford care or to find pet-friendly housing,' said Guinnevere Shuster of the Humane Society of Utah in Murray. Last year, the number of owners who turned in pets because they could not afford to care for them increased by more than 22%, she said. In Tennessee, the Nashville Humane Association partners with the Banfield Foundation to fund monthly low-cost clinics to help owners access more affordable veterinary care for their pets. 'With the cost of living increasing year after year across the United States and many private veterinary practices opening up, the cost of care has skyrocketed and appointments are filling up months out,' Whittemore said. 'We hope these clinics will alleviate some of the financial strain pet owners in our community are currently experiencing.' Additionally, Gilbreath said as owners have increasingly treated pets as part of the family, they've begun exploring medical options for animals not considered 20 years ago. 'There's options now that they didn't used to have, and that may be pulling costs up,' she said. 'There are treatments for dogs with cancer. You can get a CT scan and an MRI for your pet, or advanced orthopedic procedures. There's certain injuries where if a dog had them 20 years ago you would go with crate rest and pain management, and now you can have a surgery that costs $7,000.' PetSmart Charities estimates about 15% of pet households can afford gold-standard care. 'They want the best and most technologically advanced care,' Gilbreath said. 'But there's a lot of other households where that's not an option, and those folks should be able to get more affordable care.' Despite the financial constraints preventing access to vet care, 73% of owners who declined treatment weren't presented with more affordable alternatives, the study found, and fewer than one in four (23%) said they'd ever been offered a payment plan option. Providing payment-plan options would make a huge difference, the survey found. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said $1,000 or less would be the most they could afford if their pet had a life-threatening condition; however, if given a one-year, no-interest option, most said that would double what they could pay. 'We would love to see options like 18-month, interest-free financing,' Gilbreath said. 'More vets are starting to offer options, but it's relatively new.' While some cases – for example, a blocked intestine requiring surgery – mandate a single course of action, 'we would have thought far more people would be offered a payment plan or more affordable treatment option,' Gilbreath said. PetSmart Charities plans to survey veterinarians later this year in hopes of learning more about why, she added. Forgoing necessary or recommended pet care is linked with poor outcomes, the study found. Among those declining care, one in seven (14%) reported that their pets either worsened or died. Three in 10 pet owners (30%) said they had a friend or family member whose pet died in the past five years because of unaffordable treatment, and one in 10 (11%) knew someone who'd had to relinquish a pet because of care costs. Gilbreath recommends pet owners discuss possible treatment alternatives or payment options with their vets to find a solution that meets their needs. In addition, veterinary care or other resources can sometimes be found through community non-profit organizations or animal shelters with public-facing medical clinics. She noted the experience of a 'relatively well-off' woman who adopted a cat as she settled into her just-purchased home. The cat developed a dental condition that would have required expensive treatment. 'This woman was heartbroken,' she said. 'She didn't want the cat to suffer, so she gave it up to a shelter in hopes it would get the care it needed.' Wracked with guilt, the woman returned to the shelter the following day to retrieve the cat and learned that a community organization could provide the necessary care at a more affordable cost. 'She was able to get the cat back and get care she could afford,' Gilbreath said. Providing payment-plan options would make a huge difference, the survey found. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said $1,000 or less would be the most they could afford if their pet had a life-threatening condition; however, if given a one-year, no-interest option, most said that would double what they could pay. 'We would love to see options like 18-month, interest-free financing,' Gilbreath said. 'More vets are starting to offer options, but it's relatively new.' Additionally, Gilbreath said, veterinary schools could help by making students aware of low-tech treatment alternatives to high-tech ones so that they're comfortable offering a range of options. 'The data shows that many pet parents are not being presented with alternative care options that could make veterinary services more accessible, despite interest in such options," said Zach Hrynowski, a senior researcher at Gallup, in a press release accompanying the report. "Our analysis of the data points to a clear opportunity for the veterinary industry to expand affordable, flexible solutions that meet pet parents' needs.' Gilbreath said she hoped the report helps pet owners not feel alone or ashamed of their decisions, given how common such situations are. 'Pets are family,' Gilbreath said. 'For a lot of folks, they're the only family. That's why we do this work. We want pets and their people to be able to stay together.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why more than half of pet owners are declining veterinary care
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is pet insurance worth it? How to decide.
A broken leg, an emergency surgery, a surprise cancer diagnosis — vet bills like these can run $3,000, $5,000, or more, and most pet parents aren't ready. A 2025 PetSmart Charities-Gallup study found that over half of U.S. pet owners (52%) have skipped or declined needed veterinary care, usually because they couldn't afford it. That's the gap pet insurance tries to fill: It helps you say yes to life-saving care without panicking about the cost. But it's not always straightforward. Policies can be full of fine print, and the value you get depends heavily on your pet and your finances. Here's how to figure out when pet insurance is worth it — and when it might not be. Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide. 'Pet insurance is ideal for pet owners who can afford a monthly premium but would find it a hardship to pay a large emergency bill all at once,' said Dr. Robyn Jaynes, director of veterinary affairs at PetSmart Charities. If an unexpected vet bill would break your budget or force you to dip into savings meant for other goals, a pet insurance policy could allow you to make medical decisions based on what's best for your pet, rather than what you can afford. 'Most pet parents don't anticipate having to spend thousands of dollars up front on their pet's health,' said Dr. Amy Fox, doctor of veterinary medicine and author at Kinship, a pet parenting website. 'But when accidents happen like pets getting hit by cars, eating something they shouldn't, or breaking a bone, the medical bills can easily be thousands of dollars. Insurance can be a literal lifesaver when emergencies arise.' Still, pet insurance may not be right for everyone. If your pet is older and has preexisting conditions or if you have the savings to cover big expenses out of pocket, paying for pet insurance may not make financial sense. Learn more: The best pet insurance companies of 2025 Here are some of the biggest pros and cons to consider as you weigh whether pet insurance is worth it. Pros Can reduce the financial blow of unexpected emergencies Can make difficult treatment decisions easier Offers peace of mind against unexpected costs Many coverage levels and policies to choose from Cons Monthly premiums can add up, especially if you don't use the insurance Preexisting conditions typically aren't covered You generally have to pay the vet bill up front and wait for reimbursement (unless your vet accepts direct payment) Most policies have waiting periods, exclusions, and payout limits Learn more: Pet insurance that pays the vet directly: How does it work? Pet insurance isn't a guaranteed win, especially if your pet is older or already has health issues that will be excluded as preexisting conditions. Use these steps to think through whether it makes sense. Could you afford an emergency pet surgery tomorrow? If not, pet insurance might be worth considering. A 2025 report from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association found that the average annual premium for accident and illness coverage is $749.29 for dogs and $386.47 for cats, potentially far less than a single major vet bill. If you already have a healthy emergency savings account, you might prefer to self-insure. But remember: Tapping into savings could mean less money available for other emergencies or goals. Some pets are more likely to rack up expensive vet bills than others, and insurance can be a better bet in those cases. Start by talking to your vet because they can flag common conditions you might expect in the future based on your pet's age, breed, and health history. 'Generally, pet insurance is most helpful when you start it early, ideally when your pet is young and healthy,' said Fox. 'At this age, you'll get the most comprehensive coverage and avoid exclusions for preexisting conditions.' Health history. If a condition develops or is diagnosed before you buy a pet insurance policy or during the policy's waiting period, it will generally be excluded from coverage as a preexisting condition. This can include arthritis, allergies, and chronic GI issues. That's why your pet's health history matters. If they already have ongoing issues when you buy pet insurance, coverage will likely be limited to only new problems. Breed. Some breeds are prone to specific (and costly) health problems, like hip dysplasia in large dogs or respiratory issues in brachycephalic breeds such as pugs and bulldogs. Lifestyle. Outdoor cats and active dogs are at higher risk for accidents and injuries, while indoor pets tend to face fewer emergencies, but can still develop chronic conditions over time. 'For pets that are not insured, expenses in their golden years can add up,' Fox said. 'This can strain finances or force pet parents to pick and choose between treatments.' But when pet insurance is already in place, she notes, it can help cover frequent visits, medications, and monitoring. Learn more: Pets Best pet insurance review 2025 Veterinary care costs can vary widely depending on where you live. Understanding local costs can help you weigh whether paying a monthly pet insurance premium is worth it and less stressful than paying for an emergency out of pocket. According to the Animal Urgent Care clinic in Dallas, here are some examples of their common vet costs: Comprehensive lab work: $225 Laceration repair: $500-$1,500 and up Toxicities: $500-$1,000 Heat stroke: $1,200-$2,000 Gastroenteritis: $500-$850 Feline urethral obstruction: $1800-$2,100 Before you buy, it's important to understand what pet insurance covers. While coverage will vary by policy, here's what you can typically expect. Commonly covered: Accidents (like broken bones, poisoning, or swallowing objects) Illnesses (such as infections, cancer, arthritis) Chronic conditions diagnosed after your coverage starts Hereditary and congenital conditions Emergency surgeries and hospitalization Prescription medications Diagnostic tests like X-rays Often not covered: Preexisting conditions (anything diagnosed before coverage begins) Preventive care (unless you add a wellness plan) Cosmetic or elective procedures (like ear cropping) Breeding-related expenses Behavioral therapy (sometimes available as an add-on) Policies also have: Annual coverage limits: This is the maximum the insurer will pay in a year. Some policies provide unlimited annual coverage. Deductibles: This refers to the amount you must pay out of pocket toward vet bills before coverage kicks in. Coinsurance: After the deductible is met, you're responsible for a certain percentage. For example, you might pay 20% of the bill, and insurance covers 80%. Waiting periods: Many pet insurers require 14 days after enrollment before illness coverage begins, and longer for certain conditions like cruciate ligament injuries. 'Don't choose a policy with a particularly low ceiling of coverage,' advised Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, veterinary medical advisor for Rover. 'A broken leg can cost $4,000 to $6,000 to repair these days.' Having a maximum of around $2,000 in coverage can leave you with significant out-of-pocket costs. Once you have a sense of your pet's potential needs and the typical vet costs in your area, it's time to shop around. Pet insurance prices will vary, even for the same type of coverage. When gathering quotes, make sure you're comparing similar coverage options, such as: Annual limit: $5,000, for example, or unlimited Reimbursement rate: Usually 70%, 80%, or 90% Deductible: Can be $250, $500, or $1,000 Greenstein recommends looking for policies with at least $5,000 to $10,000 in coverage per year and evaluating how deductibles and claim frequency may affect what you'll actually get back. Here's a snapshot of how much a $5,000 annual coverage policy costs for a 1-year-old, mixed-breed dog: Pets Best — Essential plan: $23.79 Lemonade: $24.32 Pets Best — Plus plan: $26.77 Pets Best — Elite plan: $27.50 Embrace: $35.24 Spot: $41.03 MetLife: $41.34 Figo: $41.84 Fetch: $43.11 AKC: $43.41 ASPCA: $43.42 Liberty Mutual: $45.03 Before you buy pet insurance, it's smart to do a little math. 'Be honest about your finances,' recommended Jaynes. 'It's worth talking to your vet openly. They can often suggest options, from payment plans to community clinics, if insurance isn't the right fit.' Here's how to make an estimate: Tally your expected premium costs. For example, if you pay $70 a month for a $5,000 annual coverage policy, that's $840 a year, or $4,200 over five years, assuming rates stay steady (but they often increase as pets age). Factor in your deductible and reimbursement rate. Most plans reimburse 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses after you meet your deductible (often $250 to $500), up to your policy's annual limit. Now, compare that to potential vet bills. Here's what common emergencies could cost, according to ManyPets: Broken bone: $3,000-$6,000 Cancer treatment: $5,100-$16,200+ Emergency hospitalization (per day): $800-$1,500 If you think you could comfortably cover one or more of these emergencies out of pocket, you might be fine self-insuring. But if a surprise bill would be financially devastating, pet insurance could be well worth the cost for the financial safety net. Pet insurance isn't the only way to prepare for big vet bills. If you decide it's not the right fit, here are alternatives that could work: Build a dedicated pet emergency fund. Instead of paying monthly premiums, you could set aside money in a high-yield savings account to cover unexpected vet bills. Ask your vet about payment plans. Many veterinary offices offer payment plans directly through the practice or by partnering with financing companies to help spread out the cost of major procedures. Use financing options like CareCredit. CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that many vets accept. It sometimes offers 0% interest for a promotional period, but if you don't pay it off in time, deferred interest can kick in at a higher rate. There are some 0% APR credit cards too. Just aim to pay it off before the interest-free window closes. Research charitable funds and assistance programs. Nonprofits like RedRover Relief and resources listed by the American Veterinary Medical Association offer financial assistance for emergency vet care if you qualify. There is no universally right answer to whether pet insurance is worth it. The key is to run the numbers, weigh your risk, and make a plan before you're in crisis mode. Amy Danise and Tim Manni edited this article.
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Post Consumer Brands Employee-Driven "Ingredients for Good" Initiative Provides Over 91,000 Meals for People and Pets Experiencing Food Insecurity Across the United States and Canada
LAKEVILLE, Minn., May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate National Volunteer Month, Post Consumer Brands employees from 18 U.S. and Canadian locations united for the company's fourth-annual volunteer initiative, Ingredients for Good, contributing more than 67,000 meals and snack packs and 24,000 pet food packs to local families facing food insecurity. 'Our 'Ingredients for Good' volunteer initiative reflects our purpose to make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all, and we are pleased to continue this tradition for our fourth year,' said Nicolas Catoggio, president and chief executive officer of Post Consumer Brands. 'I'm incredibly proud of our teams' continued dedication to giving back to our local communities, not just during this month of service but year-round.' In the current economic environment, food insecurity remains a major issue in the U.S. and Canada, especially for communities of color, children and seniors, who are affected at a much higher rate. According to Feeding America, it is estimated that more than 45 million people in the U.S. and Canada experience food insecurity, with PetSmart Charities estimating that more than 30 million pets in U.S. households face hunger daily. Throughout April's National Volunteer Month, more than 1,200 Post Consumer Brands employees volunteered more than 2,000 hours to local service projects, providing support to underserved populations facing food insecurities in their communities. Hands-on projects benefited 39 local nonprofit organizations and included packing meals for families in need, serving and preparing meals for community members facing food insecurity, and more. Projects at 12 Post locations focused on supplying underserved populations with culturally relevant and familiar ingredients in collaboration with the Greater Twin Cities United Way 'Flavors of Our Community' initiative, with sites assembling pantry packs and pet packs to be distributed to local nonprofits. In addition to the local volunteer efforts, Post Consumer Brands also contributed more than $300,000 to local communities to support food access for the whole family. The 18 locations taking part in this year's Ingredients for Good initiative were Asheboro, North Carolina; Battle Creek, Michigan; Bentonville, Arkansas; Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cobourg, Ontario; Dallas, Texas; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Lakeville, Minnesota; Lawrence, Kansas; Meadville, Pennsylvania; Niagara Falls, Ontario; Northfield, Minnesota; Salt Lake City, Utah; Sparks, Nevada; Toronto, Ontario; Tremonton, Utah; and Visalia, California. Many remote employees from across North America also sought out opportunities to volunteer their time during the month of April to support local nonprofits in the communities where they live and work. About Post Consumer Brands' 'Ingredients for Good' Volunteer Initiative As a company dedicated to feeding families, Post Consumer Brands believes it's our responsibility to help those facing food insecurity. We also strongly believe in creating a culture where volunteering and giving back is core to what we do. Our 'Ingredients for Good' volunteer initiative is an opportunity for Post Consumer Brands' team members to come together and do even more to help families in need put food on their tables and feed their pets. In total, Post Consumer Brands' employees put in 5,200 volunteer hours and donated or packed more than 272,000 meals and pet packs across all of the company's locations. About Post Consumer Brands Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company's portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats™, PEBBLES™, Grape-Nuts™ and Malt-O-Meal™ cereal and Peter Pan™ peanut butter, as well as Nutrish™, Kibbles 'n Bits™ and 9Lives™ dog and cat food. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news. Media Contact Taylor Campbell 215-790-4374 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Post Consumer Brands
Forbes
16-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tariffs Create Concern About Pets Being Surrendered To Animal Shelters
Rising pet care costs from tariffs could lead to pets being surrendered to animal shelters. When a dog or cat becomes a part of the family, most people will do everything possible to keep them. But pet ownership can come with a hefty price tag — with the average lifetime cost of care for a 10-year-old dog at $34,550, and $32,170 for a 16-year-old cat —and President Trump's sweeping tariffs have pet owners and shelter advocates concerned about the potential consequences of spiking costs. 'The economy has already been a contributing factor in pet surrenders for several years, and additional economic strain — including the potential impact of tariffs — could make a difficult situation worse,' says Tori Fugate, director of communications for the nonprofit Shelter Animals Count, which maintains a database of U.S. animal sheltering statistics. 'Rising prices for pet-related goods and services may force more pet owners to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender their pets.' Over half of the pet owners surveyed for Rover's True Cost of Pet Parenthood Report for 2025 expressed concern that tariffs will increase the cost of having a pet, and over a quarter were already worried about paying for what their pet needs — with one in three people reducing spending in other areas of their life to provide for their dog or cat. The same financial pressures challenging families are impacting animal shelters by increasing operating costs — from veterinary supplies to food, cleaning products and staffing, according to Fugate. 'These rising expenses make it even harder for shelters to meet growing demand,' she says. 'Shelter Animals Count is actively monitoring national shelter data to identify trends that may correlate with economic shifts.' Over half of pet owners have not taken their pets to a veterinarian in the past year, according to ... More the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study released April 16, 2025. Financial challenges are already impacting veterinary care for pets, according to the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study released today. Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities, was surprised by many of the findings. 'The top line is that 52% — so over half of the pet parents that were surveyed — have either not been to the vet even though they thought their pet needed care or have declined care that was recommended by their veterinarian,' she says. 'I didn't expect it to be that many. And of those 52%, 71% cited a financial consideration for why they didn't get care.' She was also 'shocked' that one in three pet owners reported knowing a friend or family members whose pet died because they could not afford the necessary treatment. 'It's rough for the pets, it's rough for the people, and it's rough for the veterinarians,' she says. The question of whether pet insurance is helpful can be complicated, but most policies require payment at the animal hospital before eventual reimbursement, which isn't an option for many people. So Gilbreath suggests pet parents communicate openly from the get-go with their veterinary team about any financial constraints to see if they can custom-tailor care options and potentially offer a payment plan. PetSmart Charities has committed $100 million to invest in research into alternative payment plans and less expensive veterinary treatments, and to help fund lower-cost community clinics, she notes. Pets bring happiness to our lives. Ultimately, many Americans consider pets a worthwhile expense. Dogs and cats live in 94 million U.S. households – up from 82 million in 2023, according to the American Pet Products Association's 2025 State of the Industry Report. (Dogs reside in 51% of U.S. homes, while cats live in 37%.) The report found Americans spent $152 billion on the pet industry last year — including veterinary care, boarding, grooming, training, food and supplies — with $157 billion in sales projected for 2025. Still, there are intangible benefits that make Americans prioritize sharing their life with dogs and cats — from joyful greetings when we return home to cuddles on the couch and sharing outdoor adventures. Studies have found myriad health benefits related to pet ownership, from decreasing stress and anxiety to improving cognition and increasing survival rates and life expectancies after a heart attack or stroke. In fact, the 2023 Health Care Cost Savings Report commissioned by the nonprofit Human Animal Bond Research Institute found pet ownership saves the U.S. healthcare system $22.7 billion each year. Having a pet positively impacts wellness, too. A recent study by researchers from the London School of Economics and the University of Kent found that pet companionship increases happiness worth 'up to £70,000 a year in terms of life satisfaction, similar to values obtained in the literature for meeting with friends and relatives on a regular basis' — the equivalent of over $92,000 a year. In recognition of the value pets bring to our lives — and to help keep pets with the people who love them during financially fraught times— nonprofits across America are offering pet food pantries, grants for emergency veterinary care, free crisis boarding and low-cost vaccination clinics. Search for 'financially friendly' pet services by zip code — for free — at
