Rescue dog crisis as the cost of ownership rises dramatically

• 3.4m Brits give away pets this year as costs soar

• As price of pet products reaches all-time high, animal experts offer their money saving tips
• 4.7 million Brits got a pet in the pandemic, but many are now giving them up

3.4m Brits have made the heartbreaking decision to give up a pet in the last year, with rising costs a key factor. And as the price of pet ownership soars, the RSPCA has just reported a 25% increase in pets being abandoned in 2022.

ONS data shows inflation on pet products, such as food, health items and treats, has increased 85% since 2015^[i], and is expected to rise. Pet food costs in particular have seen a stark rise recently, with shoppers hitting out at high price increases in supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Morrisons^[ii]. The cost of pet care has also increased by 10% in the last year^[iii].

Roughly 4.7m people in the UK acquired a pet during the pandemic, causing ownership to reach at all time high of 17.4m (62%). However, due to the increasing costs of ownership and the return to normal life, a staggering 3.4m have given up a pet this year, primarily dogs.^[iv] As shelters grapple with overflowing capacity and increased costs, the surge in dog relinquishments is creating a real rescue dog crisis.

Trusted Housesitters, who provide pet sitting services, has looked into the data and offered money saving tips for pet owners who may be struggling with costs.

1. Shop around for pet food

Whilst some dogs have sensitive stomachs, for many, putting them onto different food can be a great way to save money. Make sure you do your research as there are many reasonable priced brands which could save a lot. There are also price comparison supermarket apps, such as Trolley so you can see where has the best prices on that day.

2. Take good care of your pet

Keeping on top of your pet’s treatments is key to avoiding hefty vet bills, even things like brushing their teeth every day can help to keep them healthy, which will save you money in the long run.  Make sure your dog stays fit and active, has plenty of clean water and don’t skip your annual vet visits, as it could lead to them catching things early.

3. Learn to groom

Pet grooming is vital in making sure they stay healthy and comfortable. If you are able to, learning to groom them at home can be a good money saving exercise. Think of things like clipping their nails, trimming their coats and cleaning around the eyes and ears, there are many helpful online sources which can help and if you are worried, or it can be impossible due to the breed then please do visit a groomer.

Angela Laws, from Trusted Housesitters, said: “The rising cost of living is having a big impact on everyone and their personal finances – and it’s also having a massive impact on pets and animal shelters across the UK.

“With the cost of ownership still rising, this means more and more people have to make the utterly heartbreaking decision to give up their pet, due to not being able to afford to keep them. This is leading to an unprecedented number of rescue dogs. This is why we wanted to shine a light on the issue and provide advice to help pet owners save money.”

For more advice on owning a pet, please visit:https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/