Right now in Connecticut, animal shelters are in crisis. Families across our state are being forced to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender their pets—not because they want to, but because they can’t afford not to.

With inflation driving up the cost of everything from housing to pet food, people are struggling just to stay afloat. Veterinary care has become out of reach for many, and even basic necessities like kibble or cat litter are a stretch. For some families, giving up a beloved pet is the only way they can keep the lights on or put food on the table.

As a result, shelters are overcrowded, under-resourced, and overwhelmed. Staff are stretched to the limit, and animals are paying the price—with longer stays, fewer adoptions, and in some tragic cases, euthanasia due to lack of space.

This isn’t just an animal welfare issue. It’s a community emergency.

We are calling on the Connecticut state government to immediately allocate emergency funding for local animal shelters and pet assistance programs. This funding can help shelters hire more staff, expand temporary housing, and support pet retention services—like food banks, low-cost vet care, and emergency boarding—for families in crisis. 

No one should have to choose between feeding their children and keeping their family pet. And no animal should suffer because their family fell on hard times.

By stepping in with targeted, compassionate support, Connecticut can protect animals, support struggling families, and ease the pressure on shelters before it’s too late.

Please sign and share this petition to urge state leaders to act now. The lives of thousands of pets—and the people who love them—depend on it.