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Cost of Living Crisis Fuels 'Epidemic' of Pet Abandonment
20 Nov
Summary
- Pet abandonments rose nearly 25% in England and Wales last year.
- Cost of living crisis is cited as a major reason for abandonments.
- Charities fear a further increase in animal neglect this winter.
An 'epidemic' of animal abandonment is gripping England and Wales, with a nearly 25% rise in incidents reported last year, marking a five-year peak. The UK's largest animal welfare charity attributes this heartbreaking trend to the ongoing cost of living crisis, which severely impacts owners' ability to cover essential pet care costs like food and veterinary treatment.
Examples of neglect are stark, including puppies found without food or water during a storm and critically ill animals left at hospital entrances. The charity's emergency line handled over 24,000 abandonment incidents by the end of October, a significant jump from the previous year. This situation is compounded by the rise in pet ownership during the pandemic, now posing challenges as owners return to work.
With winter's harsh conditions imminent, animal welfare organizations across the UK are deeply concerned about a potential further escalation of abandonments and neglect. The RSPCA has established pet food banks and a money-saving hub to assist struggling owners, underscoring the urgent need for support systems to prevent more animals from being discarded.
