Pet Insurance Could Save Dogs From The Credit Crunch

The Times Online is reporting that dogs are becoming the latest victims of the current financial crisis.

Dog Charities such as The Dogs Trust announced that the credit crunch has led to a higher than expected rise in the number of stray animals.

It seams that with budgets tightening animals are becoming the costly feature of a household to be abandoned. As a result, Battersea Dogs & Cats home has nearly reached full capacity for the first time in its history.

Usually, animal charities prepare for such rises in strays in the weeks following Christmas as animals are abandoned when the novelty of Christmas presents wear off. This year, however, it has all come much earlier.

It is being argued that by encouraging animal owners to take out Pet Insurance policies, it could put a stop to the worrying trend as people are not necessarily faced with the inability to pay for unexpected vets’ fees.

It comes as a recent study from last week showed that many pet owners are in fact giving up their pet insurance policies thinking it will save them money. But if this is the case they could be faced with more costs when their pet is taken ill.

Battersea Cats & Dogs home has more to say to the Times. It seems that it is not just the case that animals owners are abandoning their pets – they are also avoiding to look for them if they go missing, due to financial pressures. All in all it has led to 6,430 dogs landing in their care, compared to 5,335 at the same time last year. To add to the problem, it is also increasingly difficult to rehome pets.

Speaking to the Times, Jan Barlow chief executive of the home said “For those who cannot look after their dog or cat because they cannot afford to keep them, we urge them to contact Battersea, or their local rescue centre, rather than dumping them or allowing them to stray.”

Further advice includes feeding pets dry food instead of tinned, buying it in bulk, avoiding expensive treats and taking out pet insurance.