Shreveport-Bossier City, La — Love Shreveport-Bossier recently conducted a community poll asking residents a simple but powerful question: What’s the #1 reason you haven’t adopted a pet from a shelter?
With nearly 600 participants weighing in, the results painted a clear picture of the top concerns keeping locals from opening their homes to shelter animals.
Here’s what the poll revealed:
• 25% said the adoption process is too long or strict, deterring them from even trying.
• 25% pointed to the cost of ongoing care like vet bills, food, and grooming as their biggest barrier.
• 21% cited housing restrictions or lack of space as the primary reason they can’t adopt.
• 14% blamed high adoption fees, with most of these voters saying they would adopt immediately if the fees were waived.
• 11% were worried about behavioral or health issues that may come with shelter animals.
The poll sparked conversations about how shelters can better serve the community and what policies—like fee-waived adoption days or simplified application processes—might help more pets find forever homes.
It’s clear: the love is there. The system just needs some adjusting.
