Southwest Floridians are being forced to give up their pets due to rising housing costs.

Families are being evicted from their homes due to rising housing expenses, forcing them to give up their furry family members.

People experiencing sudden increases in rental fees, for example, may be forced to relocate to an area where dogs are prohibited or lose their homes entirely. According to the Gulf Coast Humane Society, it is difficult to get people to properly relinquish their animals. Some people simply abandon their dogs, which is hazardous to both people and animals.

We've had individuals come in saying they're living out of their vehicles because of the rental increase, GCHS' Brian Wierima said. We've had folks come in saying they're living out of their vehicles because of the rate increase. And, of course, having a pet and living out of your van is a very, very challenging situation.

It's distressing, according to GCHS, to see so many folks in Southwest Florida in such a dire situation that they have to give up their family pets.

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