Pet food has gotten crazily expensive - I often spend $80-100 on my pets at the pet store for food.
Fortunately, where I live (outside of Los Angeles) there are three new food banks for pets where you can pick up pet food for free - our shelters are incredibly overfilled - some of it due to people not spaying or neutering their animals, but I think some of it is due to pet food being very expensive. Lots of people struggling just to get by - and gas well over $4.00/gallon in California doesn’t help as so many of us commute.
I have a lot of love for animals but the people that are always talking down about those who turn in their pets aren’t being realistic. Lack of empathy. It must be hurtful to relinquish your beloved feline or canine friend all because you have to move and a place you’re going doesn’t accept them. Or you’ve lost your job or become disabled and just can’t afford the cost of caring for them anymore. Down with the people who just abandon their pets but the ones who turn them into a shelter with the hopes they will be re-homed should not be shamed.