The credit crunch what it means for pet owners
Increasing numbers of cats and dogs are being abandoned because the credit crunch means owners cannot afford them. Birmingham Dogs Home said about 300 animals were being handed into them each month - compared to 250 a month this time last year and fewer people were coming forward to offer new homes.
The RSPCA has said that they have received fewer donations. Pam Laking, RSPCA administrator for the Craven and Upper Wharfedale branch, in Bradford said: "We are finding people are less and less able to give us money and we are, as is every other branch of the RSPCA, entirely self-funded."(Telegraph and Argus)
The PDSA has also stated it has seen a 10% increase in people applying for free vets' bills, for assistance at one of its 47 hospitals, which equally relies on charitable funding to keep it running.
The rising costs of pet food and vets' bills are making it increasingly more expensive to keep a pet.Alayna Warner, of Birmingham Dogs Home, said: "We've had a couple of people call us - one was a lady desperate to get her dog rehomed, saying she just couldn't look after the dog anymore."Jokingly she said it was either the kids or the dog."
"We have also seen a fall in numbers of people coming in as potential new owners."
So what can be done to avoid the possibility of having you dog rehomed?If you are in receipt of Housing or Council Tax Benefit you may qualify for free vet treatment under the PDSA PetAid scheme, which provides treatment at one of its centres, or at an associate veterinary practice. To enquire about eligibility, call 0800 7312502.
Bulk-buying food is one way of cutting costs, and pet insurance will cover unplanned vet's bills. A relatively small premium each month will protect you from high treatment costs.
Going into rented accommodation
One key reason for a pet having to go to a rescue centre is when a family can no longer afford mortgage payments and have to ‘downsize’ into a rented property. Darren Lock, who runs Pet Friendly Rentals, has set up a site that puts tenants in contact with landlords who are prepared to take on tenants with pets. "Certainly we’ve been seeing an increase in the number of people looking into rented properties," he said.“
The one thing we do is guarantee that they will have a tenant who stays longer, as they don’t want to stress out their pet by repeatedly moving. Many pet owners are also more responsible and this is something we want to highlight.”Pet Friendly Rentals: www.petfriendlyrentals.co.uk
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The RSPCA has said that they have received fewer donations. Pam Laking, RSPCA administrator for the Craven and Upper Wharfedale branch, in Bradford said: "We are finding people are less and less able to give us money and we are, as is every other branch of the RSPCA, entirely self-funded."(Telegraph and Argus)
The PDSA has also stated it has seen a 10% increase in people applying for free vets' bills, for assistance at one of its 47 hospitals, which equally relies on charitable funding to keep it running.
The rising costs of pet food and vets' bills are making it increasingly more expensive to keep a pet.Alayna Warner, of Birmingham Dogs Home, said: "We've had a couple of people call us - one was a lady desperate to get her dog rehomed, saying she just couldn't look after the dog anymore."Jokingly she said it was either the kids or the dog."
"We have also seen a fall in numbers of people coming in as potential new owners."
So what can be done to avoid the possibility of having you dog rehomed?If you are in receipt of Housing or Council Tax Benefit you may qualify for free vet treatment under the PDSA PetAid scheme, which provides treatment at one of its centres, or at an associate veterinary practice. To enquire about eligibility, call 0800 7312502.
Bulk-buying food is one way of cutting costs, and pet insurance will cover unplanned vet's bills. A relatively small premium each month will protect you from high treatment costs.
Going into rented accommodation
One key reason for a pet having to go to a rescue centre is when a family can no longer afford mortgage payments and have to ‘downsize’ into a rented property. Darren Lock, who runs Pet Friendly Rentals, has set up a site that puts tenants in contact with landlords who are prepared to take on tenants with pets. "Certainly we’ve been seeing an increase in the number of people looking into rented properties," he said.“
The one thing we do is guarantee that they will have a tenant who stays longer, as they don’t want to stress out their pet by repeatedly moving. Many pet owners are also more responsible and this is something we want to highlight.”Pet Friendly Rentals: www.petfriendlyrentals.co.uk
article by your dog magazine , to view this article click here
