Watch children of men. When people can't have families, they begin to treat pets like children

Because less and less people want to bring kids into a world that's spiraling down the drain.

Many people are struggling to live day to day with expenses going towards housing, food, healthcare and work essentials (car/phone/utilities).

It's also harder to meet someone due to the lack of social community. Dating apps make relationships a commercial product and take all the romance out of it.

Then you can buy a little cute furry animal that will love you unconditionally with minimal effort. Part of the reason is for emotional support because without it your life is mainly an endless cycle of live to work instead of work to live.

In fact just watch Children of Men, it is a masterpiece.