Benji is a 7-year-old Shih Tzu who was recently surrendered by his owner, no longer able to care for him. The family, overwhelmed by spiraling bills and a series of personal crises, was forced to make what has become an impossible choice for an increasing number of Americans facing a cost-of-living crisis: put their beloved pet up for adoption. Left in the care of shelter volunteers, Benji is one of countless pets caught in the crosshairs of America’s affordability crisis, where the cost of