After 30 years with St. Johns County Animal Control, Paul Studivant has seen this heartbreaking situation many times.
Pet owners walk into his office with tears in their eyes and guilt weighing on their hearts. Their dogs, unaware of what’s coming, happily trot beside them.
With rising rent and inflation making life harder, many residents are being forced to give up their pets because they simply can’t afford to care for them anymore. Studivant and his team see this happening more than ever before.
While local leaders celebrate new projects, many lifelong St. Johns County residents are struggling just to get by.
Tough Choices for Pet Owners
“It’s rough,” Studivant told The Citizen. “People are facing hard times. They have to choose between buying food, medicine, or paying rent—and taking care of their pets.”
It’s a painful decision. When people need their pets the most, they have to say goodbye.
“The last thing they want to do is give up their pets,” he said. “But they don’t have a choice.”
He estimates that financial struggles have led to a 40% increase in pet surrenders in recent years. “It’s way up,” he said. “And it’s not slowing down.”
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
From January through August of this year, 391 dogs were surrendered to St. Johns County Animal Control. During the same period in 2022, that number was 238—a 64% increase in just two years.
Cat surrenders have also risen. This year, 334 cats were given up, compared to 253 in 2022—an increase of 32%.
Many of the surrendered pets are sick or old, and their owners request euthanasia. The agency charges much less than private veterinarians, so more people are turning to them for this difficult service.
A Silver Lining: More Adoptions
While more pets are being surrendered, more people are also stepping up to adopt them. Studivant credits local volunteers and nonprofit groups for making a difference.
Organizations like Friends of the St. Johns County Pet Center help cover adoption fees and raise awareness, making it easier for families to take in homeless animals.
Just last week, the group posted about a surrendered dog on Facebook: “He’s confused and doesn’t understand why. He’s just so fun-loving and playful! Won’t you help him find a loving, stable home?”
Their hard work is paying off. Adoptions have increased by 27% in just two years, according to county records. Through August of this year, 612 dogs and cats have found new homes, compared to 474 during the same period in 2022.
“Sure, there’s a lot of struggle,” Studivant said. “But there’s also something positive happening. These volunteers are incredible. There are no words to describe what they do.”
