Wag more, bark less

Anyone who owns a pet knows how expensive caring for one can be on the family budget.

So here's another sign that the economy is improving in Collier County: Fewer domesticated animals were abandoned and more were adopted in the most recent fiscal year compared with the previous year.

Collier County Domestic Animal Services reported a 7% annual drop in animal abandonment at its shelter (led by a 14% drop in abandoned cats) and a 2% increase in adoptions in the most recent fiscal year. Notably, euthanasia fell 4%.