A leading dog charity is receiving one call every THREE minutes to have a dog rehomed, as the rising cost of living decimates families' finances.
Dogs Trust has warned that dogs have now become the voiceless victim the financial crisis problem, with Friday’s mini budget set to focus on household bills even more sharply as more families reluctantly hand over often much loved pets to charities and welfare groups.
Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust's CEO, said: “Last month we received on average 17 handover calls an hour from desperate owners feeling they’ve run out of options. Our teams have been answering a shocking and unprecedented number of calls from dog owners asking us to take in their dogs because they feel they won’t be able to see them through this crisis.”
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And the problem does not stop there.
In Northern Ireland almost half - 48% - of the people who responded to a YouGov survey for the charity, said they will find it more difficult to pay for all their dog needs, compared to before the cost of living crisis started.
And a further 59% said they would not contemplate taking in a rescue dog at the moment due to the costs involved.
Owen said: “From the details in our cost of living poll, it’s clear to see we’re about to have a serious animal welfare issue on our hands.”
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget will be delivered on Friday, September 23 and household gas and electricity bills in Northern Ireland will be capped from November.
The announcement follows the Energy Price Guarantee for the rest of the UK, under which a typical household will pay no more than £2,500 a year on their energy bills for the next two years from October 1.
The smaller level of support for oil heating, which in Northern Ireland accounts for two-thirds of households, reflects how gas prices have risen more sharply than oil in the last year.
The £100 will be delivered as a top-up to the £400 Energy Bills Support payment which is going to all UK households. However, there is no firm timescale on when this £400 payment will be made available in Northern Ireland, which has a separate energy market from Great Britain.
But even with this help, families are squeezed beyond their control and many trying to work out where to cut costs, have decided their family dog will have to be rehomed.
In recent months, Dogs Trust has received a record number of calls from people asking the charity to take in their dogs.
In August 4,993 dog owners enquired about the charity's handover service, creating a record for the most enquiries in a single month. August showed a 14% increase on July this year, and a 26% increase from August 2021.
In Northern Ireland, respondents said the cost of dog food and vet bills continue to cause them most worry. More than 49% of dog owners here said dog food costs were currently their biggest financial concern while looking after their dogs over the coming year, and 27% of respondents were most worried about the cost of vet bills.
Of the non-dog owning respondents, almost 60% said the rising cost of living will prevent them from adopting or buying a dog.
The PDSA estimates the cost of buying a dog from puppyhood is at least £4,600, but can vary depending on which dog you bring into your home. And the potential cost could be £30,800 over the whole lifetime of the pet.
The PDSA said: “This estimated lifetime cost is the minimum that you will need to care for your dog. It will vary according to your dog’s size, breed and how long they live. Your dog could cost you as much as £30,000 over their lifetime if you decide or need to spend more on their ongoing care.
“You may find that your dog has additional needs if they are a pedigree breed prone to certain health problems, which could also add to your costs.
“This estimated cost doesn’t include the cost of any vet fees if your dog becomes ill, although we have included the cost of pet insurance. If your dog has an accident or develops a health problem, the cost of caring for them could increase dramatically. It’s important to be prepared for this, which is why we recommend people take out health insurance for their pets.”
Basic costs of owning a dog
- Small dog breeds: At least £4,600 up to potential lifetime cost of £25,000
- Medium dog breeds: At least £7,000 up to potential lifetime cost of £27,000
- Large dog breeds: At least £5,700 up to potential lifetime cost of £30,800
Costs calculated by the PDSA include purchase price or adoption fees, of a pup include:
- Beds and bedding
- Lead, collar and tag
- Food and water bowls
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toys
- Car restraint
- Initial course of vaccinations
- Monthly wormers until the dog is six months old
- Neutering
Their estimated monthly costs are:
- Small dog breeds: £370
- Medium dog breeds: £395
- Large dog breeds: £425
Additional costs include:
- Annual health checks and booster vaccinations
- Regular flea and worm treatments
- Pet insurance
- Food
- Small toy allowance
- Poo bags
- Toothpaste
The estimated monthly costs for the above items are:
- Small dog: £50
- Medium dog: £65
- Large dog: £80
And although you might buy items when you get your dog as part of the initial cost, the PDSA says there are lots of things that you will need to replace over your dog’s lifetime which might increase these costs.
The charity worked out the costs above are the basic minimum costs to meet a dog’s five welfare needs and owners can spend much more over the course of a dog’s lifetime, especially if the dog needs ongoing vet care for an illness or accident.
What’s not included
These numbers are all estimated and don’t include the cost of purchasing a dog or vet fees if your dog becomes ill.
It also does not include other services for your dog that might be required depending on your lifestyle and experience, such as the cost of boarding kennels, training classes and any day care needed for your dog.
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