Large Numbers of Pets Given Up by Owners Unable to Afford Them

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Sees Increase in Number of Pets Handed In

Whenever the economic climate is in the news it has been in relation to the difficulty in finding work and the number of unemployed people in the country, not to mention the European debt crisis and the fears that the continent could fall into another recession. But there’s another side to the economic situation that has so far gone by without notice – until today.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is one of many sources claiming a large increase in the numbers of pets being handed in as owners struggle to meet the financial demands of paying for them. The well known animal welfare charity has revealed a new press release that details the numbers of pet owners who are giving up in the face of financial burdens such as redundancy, homelessness or eviction fears. It has gotten to the extent that they receive calls for help every day and the amounts have doubled in the last month alone.

“The whole situation is desperately sad,” says Battersea’s Intake Manager Sean Welland. “I spoke to a lady recently who lost her job and had to move into rented accommodation. She couldn’t find anywhere that would accept her cat, and was in tears when I spoke to her about bringing the cat here for us to care for it. Through no fault of her own she lost her house which is bad enough, but then she also had to give up her pet. It’s a sad indication of the state of the economy that we are hearing stories like this on a daily basis. It is incredibly difficult for pet owners at the moment.”

In many cases it is more than one pet that is affected at time, with many phone calls asking for the charity’s help in taking in several pets at once. In many cases they cannot afford basic veterinary care and neither can they afford pet insurance to cover such issues.

Though pet insurance is clearly something that some people are struggling with as well, it is clear that it is more important than ever that pet owners seek it out, so that they are not left with a financial burden that could cost them their pet.