San Marino shelter reports rise in pet abandonment

Two French Bulldogs, Lola and Pippi, have found a new home through the Apas shelter in San Marino after being surrendered by their previous owners. A family from Montegiardino has stepped forward to adopt the pair to provide companionship for their existing dog.

The adoption highlights a growing trend of pet abandonment in San Marino. According to Emanuela Stolfi, president of Apas, approximately 50% of the shelter's arrivals last year were due to owners renouncing ownership. Common reasons for these surrenders include the death of an owner, long-term illness, or housing restrictions regarding pets. The organization is considering initiatives to better protect the legal status of pets as formal members of the family unit to mitigate these issues.