Growing numbers of Britons are parting with their pets—from cats and dogs to snakes and lizards—as the cost-of-living crunch continues to bite. Some owners are abandoning animals on streets, with 206 dogs and 164 cats currently being cared for at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home centres across the country.
Rehoming centres nationwide report record inquiries for returns as the tightest squeeze on living standards since the 1960s forces owners to decide that the additional cost of food and veterinary bills is no longer manageable. Steve Craddock, manager of Battersea’s south London centre, warned: “We are concerned that’s going to be an increasing reason for people bringing their dogs in to Battersea.”
Exotic pets such as snakes and lizards are also proving too expensive due to their need for specialist heating and lighting. The RSPCA reported three snakes, including an 8-foot boa constrictor, were recently dumped in pillow cases outside a reptile shop. The trend follows a surge in demand for pets during the pandemic lockdowns, as households brace for energy bills to more than triple in January.
Dogs Trust, which currently has 692 dogs needing homes across 21 centres, said the last time it saw anything like this was after the 2008 financial crash. Operations director Adam Clowes commented: “This cost-of-living crisis has crept up on us a lot more quickly than people ever expected.” The charity is considering expanding its emergency support fund—usually reserved for welfare recipients needing short-term help to keep pets—to middle-income earners.
Animal charities are concerned the squeeze will hit donations, although they have not yet seen a drop. Meanwhile, adoption applications have plummeted: Woodgreen reported applications falling to the hundreds per month from around 10,000 during lockdowns. Pilar Gómez-Igbo, an assistant editor, said she would delay adopting due to rising costs: “As the change in living costs became more evident, yes definitely, it joined the list of things to seriously consider.”
