Facing animal overpopulation at shelters across Illinois, state lawmakers and pet advocates gathered Wednesday with DuPage County leaders to push for legislative solutions.

The problem, they said, is more people are facing economic crisis and are unable to keep their pets. Whether because of the high cost of pet fees in rental housing, the fast-rising price of veterinary care or other reasons, many pet owners are making the difficult decision to surrender their animals.

“People can no longer afford their pets,” said Marc Ayers, Illinois state director for Humane World for Animals, formerly the Humane Society of the United States. “There are so many reasons — mainly economic — that are creating the situation that people can no longer have a pet in their home. And so they’re making that de

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