Cost-of-living crisis ‘impacting’ on how nation cares for dogs

Almost 70% of dog owners in the UK are concerned about how they will care for their dog in the next year as the cost-of-living rises, new research reveals.

The research by the Dogs Trust.shows that 35% of respondents think the rising cost of living is already making it more difficult to give their dogs all they need.

The greatest worry was how they would manage to pay vet bills, which 49% named as their main concern, followed by affording dog food (17%), and insurance (15%).

Meanwhile, more than half (54%) of non-dog owners said the rising cost of living would prevent them from adopting or buying a dog.

Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust Chief Executive, said: “We know from the experience of the 2008 recession that economic crisis can and will lead to people needing to give up their beloved dogs. Sadly, many loving dog owners simply won’t be able to afford to keep them.

“At Dogs Trust we’re rehoming and fostering dogs as quickly as we can – but as soon as we free up a kennel space, there’s a dog to fill it again. We’ve already taken 13,000 calls this year from owners who need to give up their dogs – a 58% increase on last year. We know that dog owners need immediate help and we’re working hard to find ways to support them – but it takes time.”