Cash-strapped As the expense of living climbs, the number of Britons giving up their family pets has reached levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis.
Currently, the rehoming facilities of the Battersea animal charity are caring for 206 dogs and 164 cats.
Dogs Trust has 692 dogs in need of homes in 21 locations around the nation.
Other centers have reported a record number of requests for dog and cat returns amid the most severe economic downturn since at least the 1960s.
Numerous owners are compelled to conclude that the added cost of food and hundreds of pounds in veterinary expenses is no longer manageable.
Due to their requirement for specialized heating and lighting, exotic pets such as snakes and lizards are proving to be too costly.
The manager of the Battersea Pets and Cats Home in southwest London, Steven Craddock, expressed fear that more individuals may bring their dogs to the shelter for this reason.
He related the tale of Harriet, a black English cocker spaniel discovered abandoned and running down a major road in London after witnesses observed her being shoved from a vehicle.
Three snakes, including an 8-foot (2.4-meter) boa constrictor, were recently placed in pillowcases in front of a reptile store, according to the RSPCA.
The trend, which follows an increase in demand for pets during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in an animal-loving nation, comes as families prepare for their energy prices to more than treble in January compared to last year.
The Bank of England has warned of a protracted recession in Britain.
Adam Clowes, director of operations at Dogs Trust, said, “This cost-of-living catastrophe has snuck up on us more faster than anybody anticipated.”
Due to the strain, the organization is contemplating whether it should extend its emergency support fund, which is typically allocated for welfare recipients who want short-term financial assistance to maintain their dogs, to more middle class individuals.
They are also concerned that the strain on living standards would have an effect on contributions, though they have not yet seen this.
At Battersea, some dogs are being rehomed. Magpie is a British short-haired cat whose owner of two years realized they could not afford the kittens once she got pregnant.
All four of her kittens have now been adopted.
However, this is unlikely to be the case for the majority of animals, since another charity, Woodgreen, reports that applications to adopt animals have decreased from roughly 10,000 per month during lockdowns to 100 per month.
Pilar Gómez-Igbo, an assistant editor, may have been a possible buyer, but after doing research, she is concerned about the additional expenses.
She said, “As the difference in living expenses became more apparent, it was added to the list of factors to consider.” I will force myself to wait a while.