Economy takes toll on pure breed pets
WESTERN NEW YORK -- When man's bills pile up, his best friend is often the first thing to go.
Lollypop Farm says that isn't the case locally. Although donations are down, it says surrenders are too. Lollypop says adoptions are actually up.
More expensive animals however aren't going as quickly.
The president of the Genesee Valley Kennel Club says some people have just stopped breeding because of the cost. Steve Barbash says others have lowered the prices of their pure breeds.
“The American Kennel Club is under competition now and is not having an easy time, nobody is having an easy time now, but I think it will pull through. It's been around for 125 years,” Barbash said.
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The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Center in Farmington is filled to capacity with a 40 horse waiting list.
Program Manager, Carly Tangney says it costs more to board, feed and transport the horses now and many families just can't afford it.
“There are just so many horses that don't have homes because people are just surrendering them all over the place,” Tangney said, “Last year we moved 55 horses to other rescues around the country. That was a very significant amount of the horses that we adopted out and this year we only moved like 15.”
Tangney says the adoption program will rely more heavily on volunteers and donations.
The kennel club says it plans to put greater emphasis on local events and competitions.