Charities see huge spike in calls from Brits who can't afford to keep their pets

The Dogs Trust charity has had 18,000 calls this year from distraught pet owners who can no longer afford to keep their much loved animals.

That is 55% up on the first seven months of last year as the cost of living crisis bites.

The Trust’s Adam Clowes told the Sunday Mirror: “Owners are having to make decisions between heating their homes, feeding their children or giving up their dog.”

And the distressing picture is the same at animal rescue centres across the country which are now so full they are having to turn pets away..

Mr Clowes said: “Everyone is facing the same tsunami of requests. And we have to ascertain how urgent the need is.”

Claire Sparkes of Gables Dogs and Cats Home in Plymouth added: “The calls we are receiving are increasingly now from people who genuinely can’t afford to keep their pets any longer.”

The cost of pet food has gone up 20% since last year bringing the price of keeping a dog to £250 a month and vet bills are now going through the roof.

Dog's Trust has received a 55% increase in calls from distraught pet owners (West Lothian Courier)

London’s Battersea Cats and Dogs Home also reports 1,200 enquiries in June from owners looking to bring their pets in - a 30% increase on the same month in 2021.

Battersea’s Ben Parker said: “‘Frasier, a four-year-old Domestic Short-hair cat, was brought to Battersea in June by his heartbroken owner who was now facing financial hardship and could no longer afford to keep him.

“They were struggling to cover vet costs including vaccinations and flea treatments.

“Frasier is a very friendly cat with no behavioural or health issues who had clearly been well cared for by his owner.”

The Dogs Trust take in 200 animals a week but there is now an urgent need for foster carers for them to go to until they can be found permanent loving homes.

Labour says its plan to cut business rates would help keep vet bills down.

Shadow Animal Welfare minister Ruth Jones said: “It is a disgrace that the Tory failure to tackle rising costs has forced families to give up their much loved pets.

“Labour’s plan to put money back in people’s pockets will help families keep them.”

A cat costs £1,500 a year to keep while a dog will set owners back £30,000 over its lifetime.