Cambridgeshire pet owners in crisis given help thanks to new partnership
A 253% surge in pets given up for financial reasons has been reported
Pet owners in Cambridgeshire struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis can now be relieved thanks to a new partnership.
Woodgreen Pets Charity in Godmanchester and the RSPCA have teamed up to help those who are struggling to keep their beloved animals.
In recent months, Woodgreen has seen a 253% surge in pets being given up for financial reasons.
But this service to help pet owners and animals in need aims to offer support where needed.
“People needing to give a pet up has gone up by over 100% recently, and reasons being financial and due to cost of living has gone up by 200% so we know people are struggling,” Chris Bennett, Woodgreen’s community support manager, said.
“Whereas the RSPCA can focus on complaints of neglect and cruelty, often, owners would also benefit from longer term hand holding and support.
“That’s where we can step in to support pet owners to be as good as they can be where they want to try and improve to make things better.”
More than a million calls made to emergency helpline
So far, Woodgreen is supporting around 400 to 500 people a month who want to keep pets but may be struggling to do so, such as for financial reasons.
Last year, the RSPCA’s emergency line received 1,098,806 calls and in April this year, the charity received 1,508 reports about an animal being abandoned.
“Where it isn’t better for the pets we’d have to consider moving those pets on,” Justin Stubbs, inspector at the RSPCA, said.
“But if it works for all parties and it means a pet can stay in its own home instead of being in a boarding facility, costing money and taking up space, the right thing to do is to leave it in the home.”
The help offered through the partnership also includes care and behavioural support, providing ways to improve animal welfare.
"There's no quick solution to the problems"
Last year, Woodgreen’s community outreach team worked with more than 3,500 pets in their homes.
But it’s feared the trend in the number of pet owners seeking help will rise.
“It’s about trying to say ‘here’s some ways you can make your bills cheaper’, making sure your pet’s insured, catching illnesses early before they can worsen because that can help try and keep costs down,” said Mr Bennett.
“(The trend of pet owners needing help) is going to get worse because there’s no quick solution to the financial problems in the country at the minute,” Mr Stubbs added.
“I think the misconception is the RSPCA is there to tell you off and remove your pets; most of the time is what can we do to help you there and then.
“We don’t want to take away your pet; we want everything to be okay with you and your pet and want to leave it there and that’s how it has always been.”