Charities Warn of Pandemic Pet Abandonment Wave as Vet Bills Soar

As the cost of living crisis continues to impact households across the UK, charities are warning of a new wave of pet abandonment. Figures show that firefighter callouts for animal rescues have risen by more than a quarter in the past 5 years, with the RSPCA receiving a record 22,503 abandonment reports in 2024.

The surge in pet abandonment is directly linked to the soaring costs of food and veterinary care. Data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that vet costs last month were almost 50% higher than they were in 2020, while the average price of a can of dog food has more than doubled from 60p to £1.03 over the same period.

Charities like Cats Protection say the combination of increased pet ownership during the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis is putting significant strain on the rescue sector. Firefighters, who often work closely with charities to rescue abandoned animals, are feeling the effects of these dual challenges as owners struggle to afford caring for their pets.

The situation has become particularly acute in London, where over a third of the 3,462 domestic animal rescues across England took place in the year to June 2025. The London Fire Brigade estimates it spent £686,475 on these callouts, a significant increase from £261,253 just 5 years earlier.