A perfect storm of problems has seen so many dog owners wanting to give up their pets that rescue centres are having to put them on waiting lists.
A combination of the Covid pandemic lockdown puppy boom, the cost of living crisis and a spike in unscrupulous backyard breeders has seen rescue centres reach full capacity.
One such centre, Carla Lane Animals in Need, in Merseyside, is "completely full" and unable to take in any more pets.
Manager Kelly O'Shea told the Liverpool Echo that she blamed the capacity issues on the Covid pandemic puppy boom and the escalating cost of living crisis.
She told the BBC that Brits have been failing to realise "the commitment involved" in owning a dog, after buying them while working from home during lockdown and now struggling with a return to the office.
Kelly also reported a spike in "backyard breeders" making "an easy income stream" by selling dogs without taking into consideration whether they are suitable for a particular home.
But she still urged pet owners to approach charities with any concerns, saying: "Sometimes just some basic, simple training is often all that's needed for people to be able to enjoy a lifetime companionship with their pet."
In a social media post yesterday, the animal sanctuary pleaded for others to take in a Rottweiler/Bully crossbreed that it has been unable to house.
It wrote: "Zeus is not yet at Carla Lane as we have no kennel space but he is now desperate for a home. We have already assessed him and had his vaccinations done ready for his new home."
The rescue centre added: "This gentle boy has come from a loving home but unfortunately the new baby is extremely allergic and cannot come home from hospital. His owner has exhausted all options but nothing has worked."
It comes as another charity says it is also receiving more calls to take in animals, as owners can no longer afford the rising costs of pet essentials.
Claire Sparkes, General Manager at Gables Dogs and Cats Home in Plymouth, admitted she worries about what will happen to the unwanted pets if they run out of spaces.
She said: "We operate a waiting list of cats and dogs that need to come in for rehoming that people can no longer keep various reasons. The calls we are receiving are increasing now from people who genuinely can't afford to keep their pets any longer.
"It's a real shame because they are genuinely loved pets, but the increase in their own costs for themselves and families have gone up.
"In the increase in dog food, and veterinary costs like flea and worm treatments and basic pet care items are increasing. It seems like everything is increasing and there's no kind of let up for anybody and people are genuinely struggling to keep their pets."
UK inflation climbed to 9.1% in the 12 months to May, its highest level since March 1982. The ONS said food and drink prices were the biggest contributor of inflation creeping higher, while households are also being hit by sky-high energy costs.
Claire added: "[People giving up pets] has increased significantly over the past three months and I think it's only going to get worse and worse until it gets to a point where there are only so many animals that we can take in at any one time.
"It worries me what could happen to those animals if we can no longer take in because we only have so many kennels and cat pens available."
