CHICAGO (WLS) -- Throughout the Chicago area, more people have been surrendering their pets. It is overwhelming shelters and rescues.

In Chicago, Animal Care and Control reports that in 2024, 2,078 pets were surrendered by their owners. A smaller snapshot shows that in September of this year, 292 cats were surrendered. That's a five-fold increase from last September.

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In Northwest Indiana, Humane Indiana reports that in 2024, there were 127 owner surrenders with 118 animals abandoned on its property in Munster. So far this year, those numbers stand at 100 and 78, respectively.

Experts and local shelter officials say economic pressures are making it harder to own a pet.

"The cost of food, the cost of veterinarian care, it's overwh

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