ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Thousands of families across Illinois could lose access to SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1 and it’s not just people feeling the impact.

Local shelter leaders say the loss of food assistance could lead to more pets being surrendered.

“We do expect that when people have certain things that they depend on, whether it’s rental assistance or SNAP benefits or things like that, creating more economic difficulty would lead to other pets being surrendered into our care,” said Amber Pinnon, adoption and volunteer coordinator at Winnebago County Animal Services.

Winnebago County Animal Services leaders say they already see how economic hardships affect pet ownership, forcing some families to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, or keeping their pets. As the SNAP paus

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