Rising Costs In Las Vegas Leading To More Pets Being Abandoned

More and more family pets in Las Vegas are getting abandoned or surrendered to shelters, fox5vegas.com recently reported. The recent increase in abandoned pets is being credited to the rising costs of living in Southern Nevada. Not only the inflation Americans are seeing nationwide, but in rising rents here in Clark County.

Earlier this month, fox5vegas reported that a study showed Las Vegas is leading the nation in number of evictions in big cities. This comes after the endless rent increases the city saw during and immediately after the Coronavirus pandemic. And the report indicated that it's going to get worse, due to expiration of protections some families filed for. Some of which are still waiting for that help. According to an interview fox5vegas conducted with the Nevada SPCA, this year has seen an unprecedented number of pets being abandoned.

The Nevada SPCA, along with other animal-advocating organizations in Southern Nevada, offers resources for pet families in need. The Nevada SCPA has food pantries for families who are struggling to feed their pets. As well as free or low-cost veterinary care. Hearts Alive Village in Las Vegas also gives low-cost veterinary care. Including a $40 medical exam that includes a dental check.

Shelters across the valley are seeing a spike in animals being dropped off. The Nevada SPCA is currently at capacity and urging those who can adopt or foster to do so now. They're so desperate to get animals out of the shelter and into homes that they're doing a "Clear The Shelter" campaign. Which will waive adoption fees on all adult animals through Labor Day weekend. For more information, check out the NSPCA website here.

A final word, from one animal-lover to another. If you HAVE to surrender your pet in Las Vegas this summer, please do not leave them outside in a crate or tied to a tree. That's not only abandonment, it's animal cruelty. Just don't do it.

- Wendy Rush, 96.3 KKLZ

The black cat has gotten a really bad rap over the years. Some say the superstition against them has been around since the medieval period. But why? A few of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time? That forever linked their descendants to bad luck? Not cool. Also not universal. Black cats are actually good luck in some countries. There's a superstition in England that says giving  one to a couple on their wedding day will bring the marriage good luck. A married couple with a black cat is expected to have a long and happy life together. The superstition also says that the cat in the home will scare away evil spirits. Japan has a similar positive connection to black cats and love. Their tradition is that a single woman who has a one will have her choice of suitors to pick from. Japan also has beliefs that a black cat will bring wealth and prosperity. French culture carries a similar belief.

And Russia takes the cake on cats being good luck for financial success. According to foreignpolicy.com, there is a bank in Russia that will loan you a cat for two hours when you sign mortgage papers. The new homeowners are supposed to let the cat walk across their new threshold for good luck. The cat can be any color, even black. The bank owners believe a feline crossing the threshold will ensure the new borrowers will return the bank's money with no issues. So a black cat in Russia is not only good luck, but banked on for good prosperity. See what I did there?

Superstitions or not, we think black cats make AMAZING pets. If you've never considered getting one, here are a few reasons we think you should.

The contrast of a black cat's dark coat with their bright eyes is gorgeous. Many have yellow eyes but there are some with blue as well. Also, their coats, when well cared-for, shine in a way cats of other colors just don't.

If you have ever owned a pet, you know those vet bills can add up. Well there's a little-known secret that black cats are more disease-resilient than cats of other colors. That could mean less money out of your pocket.

Black cats are great at camouflaging at night. And Las Vegas residents know coyotes in these parts are getting worse and worse. Your little black fur baby has a better chance at eluding these predators than their kitty counterparts.

This is where that bad black kitty stigma is a good thing. Because some people are superstitious against them, they're not as likely to get stolen if they're out wandering around. And some people swear they actually scare off would-be home invaders too.

There aren't many breeds of domestic cat that mimics the coloring of their wild counterparts. The black cat is one of the few who actually look like a mini version of a big cat. And let's face it...with Min Pins and Teacup Poodles, aren't minis where it's at these days? When someone asks what kind of cat you have, you can say "A Min Pan" (mini pather). :D

Follow us! Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.