1 . Andrew White brings his four-legged friends Oliver and Amore to his neighborhood Petco pet stores in San Diego for a little takeout. He has brought the pair to a kibble refill station (宠物食品补给站) that allows owners to use their own containers (容器).

“It’s more affordable for everyone,” he said.

Like the price of many things these days, the price of owning a pet has been increasing. A report on petfoodindustry.com finds the cost of feeding household animals was up about 6% in March over last year. The overall pet category saw a 7.5% increase compared to March of 2021. The American Pet Products Association says a record $123.6 billion was spent in the US last year on pets. A survey shows 70% of American families now include a pet of some Kind.

In Kansas City, the KC Pet Project is seeing animals surrendered because of their owners’ money problems. “It is sad to see a number of pets coming in through our doors,” said KC Pet Project Chief Communications Officer Tori Fugate. “People are calling us every week saying, ‘I don’t want to leave my animal, but I can’t find a place to live with it.’”

One big cost is vet (兽医) care. The KC Pet Project gave out more than $96,000 last year to help owners with medical bills. Recent findings from Consumers’ Checkbook show costs differed widely from vet to vet in seven Cities they listed. So they say f pet owners want to save money, do some checking first. “If you know that your pets are going to need certain treatment, you can call around and get prices, and then decide what to do next,” said Consumers Checkbook Executive Editor Kevin Brasler.

In Florida, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay has increased its animal pantries (食品储藏室), so people can get free food for their dogs and cats.

“I believe things will get better,” said Sherry Silk, CEO of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.“It’s got to get better because the animals really need us.”

1. What do the numbers in paragraph 3 mainly show?

A．Keeping pets is still popular in the US.

B．The costs for pets are rising in the US.

C．Most Americans have difficulty keeping pets.

D．Many Americans are careful about having pets.

2. What does the underlined word “surrendered” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Hunted for.

B．Looked over.

C．Given up.

D．Handed out.

3. What can pet owners do to treat their pets according to Kevin?

A．Ask for medical prices first.	B．Choose a big local pet hospital.
C．Call the KC Pet Project for help.	D．Get different vets to examine them.

4. What is Sherry’s attitude to pets’ future?

A．Uncertain.

B．Worried.

C．Hopeful.

D．Doubtful.