As the cost of living in the United Kingdom continues to rise, Britons are forced to make difficult decisions about whether or not to keep their pets.
With the cost of living in the United Kingdom rising, some Britons are being forced to give up their pets in order to save money.
The trend comes as the country struggles with rising energy costs and the Bank of England warns that a recession is likely later this year. According to data released on Friday, the UK economy contracted between April and June.
Pet and animal shelters report a surge in requests for cat and dog returns as owners decide the costs of owning a pet – food plus hundreds in vet bills – are no longer affordable.
This is a significant shift from the spike in demand for pets during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, when people were isolated and lonely in their homes.
Woodgreen, one centre, reported that applications have dropped to hundreds per month, down from tens of thousands during the lockdown’s peak. Animal shelters are beginning to worry that the drop in demand will result in a drop in donations.
“This cost-of-living crisis has crept up on us a lot faster than people expected,” Adam Clowes, operations director of Dogs Trust, told Reuters.
The average household fuel bill in the United Kingdom has increased by more than 50% this year as the war in Ukraine has reduced global oil and natural gas supplies, and another increase is expected in October, when the average bill is expected to reach $43,000 per year.
