Jasmine Birtles
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What to do if you can’t afford your pet any more
Vicky Parry
13th Feb 2023
What happens when you can’t afford your pet? An animal Welfare charity has said is has received 4000 calls from people wanting to give up their pet (as reported this week 13 Feb 2023). That is double what it had received last year. Shelters have reportedly been receiving more and more unwanted animals as the cost of living crisis affects millions across the UK. The SPCA have specified that the cost of living crisis is nearly solely to blame for this crisis in animal rehoming.
As fuel and bill prices rise along with grocery costs, many people just can’t justify spending money on an animal as well.
Jo Evans, who manages a shelter for the RSPCA near Exeter, told the BBC that people are struggling to pay for vet bills: “We are beginning to see people say they just can’t afford to own an animal so they have to rehome it,” said Evans, before noting that people should take the time to understand the cost involved before they take on a new pet.
According to Pet Keen, an estimated 2.7 million animals a year in the UK are being taken in by shelters: mostly dogs and cats but also fish and small mammals, which is financially stretching the shelters. And with the cost of living crisis, the problems are piling up.
- Lockdown pets
- Financial help
- Crowdfunding
- RSPCA advice
- Giving up a dog you’re no longer able to care for
- Giving up a cat you’re no longer able to care for
- One last piece of advice
Lockdown pets
In 2020, as the pandemic took hold, millions of households in the UK bought or adopted a new pet. For some, this seemed a good idea because they faced working from home for the indefinite future.
But since 2021, more than three million households have given up animals. Dr. Samantha Graines, a welfare expert for the RSPCA, told “We understand that circumstances can change and, sometimes, this leaves families having to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their pets.
However, we also know that animals are often signed over to charities, rehomed, or even abandoned because people took on a pet without the necessary research or appreciation of the responsibility and commitment.”
Financial help
There are several ways you could consider getting a helping hand raising some money to help you keep your pet, and many supporters out there who’d be keen to get involved.
Charities
While it’s the responsibility of pet owners to ensure they can afford any veterinary treatment their pets may require, sometimes people fall on hard times, and vert fees, especially for unplanned emergencies, can be a real concern.
Here are some charities who may be able to help with the cost of veterinary treatment:
1. PDSA
To qualify for free or subsidised treatment, pet owners must be in receipt of certain benefits, such as housing benefit or council tax support, and live within the catchment area of a PDSA hospital or clinic.
2. RSPCA
The RSPCA has clinics and practices across England which offer reduced cost veterinary assistance to pet owners who meet their criteria.
3. Blue Cross
Blue Cross operates in England and Wales, providing means-tested support to low-income families who live in the catchment area of its hospitals or clinics.
4. Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust provides free and subsidised treatments to pet owners who are homeless or in a housing crisis. The scheme runs in 112 towns and cities across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
5. Cats Protection
Cats Protection offers financial assistance to cash-strapped owners wishing to spay or neuter their cat. Unfortunately, they don’t offer further assistance with veterinary procedures or bills.
6. Local charities and organisations
There are also several independent charities which offer help with veterinary expenses. Speak to your daytime vet to find out about those local to you.
Crowdfunding
You could also consider starting a CROWDFUNDER CAMPAIGN, as there are potentially thousands of people out there who may be sympathetic to your plight, particularly when it comes to our animal friends.
See our recent feature on running a crowdfunder and adjust accordingly to explain you and your pets’ needs, and you may find help comes from unexpected places.
RSPCA advice
If you really do have to consider giving up your pet, the RSPCA website has some advice for people who are considering giving up their pet. They say that before giving up pets because of expensive vet bills, do some research. Some of the RSPCA’S branches may be able to help if you’re receiving low-income state benefits. Find out if you could be eligible for financial assistance. Other charities can also help. You could also consider pet insurance, which covers future unexpected vets’ bills. We recommend pet insurance as an essential part of responsible pet ownership.
Sometimes giving up a pet is the right thing to do, but it can be distressing for you and them, so it needs to be done carefully. Give your pet the best chance of finding a happy home:
- Contact the original seller to see if they would be willing to take your pet back.
- Contact a charity or rescue centre experienced in matching each pet with the right owner.
Many RSPCA branches prioritise animals in need, so may not be able to rehome your pet. However, your local branch may be able to help, depending on the services they offer, so find your local branch.
If your local RSPCA branch can’t help, other charities are often able to. There are many organisations that can help you rehome your dog or cat. They all have different procedures, so research carefully before giving them a pet you’re no longer able to care for.
giving up a dog you’re no longer able to care for
Below are some charities that may help you rehome your dog:
Below are some charities that may help you rehome your cat:
One Last Piece of Advice
If you are reading this and already in the financial position described, then please seek advise and be very very careful to rehome responsibly, if you are interested in shelters, be sure to check their kill policies. Avoid ever rehoming an animal without checking out the home with a professional.
If however you are yet to own an animal please take into account that our situations can change. Never go into pet ownership on a whim and always read up on the responsibilities it entails. Ask a few people who already have pets what their own experiences were and try and seek a pet which suits your budget.
We have a guide to suggest different dog breeds for different budgets here.
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