Rutland faces 'animal welfare crisis', as pet food banks open across UK
Dogs Trust say they've reached 50,000 requests from owners asking to take in their dog
Families in Stamford and Rutland are being urged to host a re-homed dog, but only if they're in the right position to do so.
It's as the UK enters an 'Animal Welfare Crisis' according to Dogs Trust, who say they've received a recorded number of requests to take in dogs this year.
Jayne Saville runs K9 Country Walks in Oakham - she says it's a "heart-breaking" time for some families:
'One of the other things now is that a lot of people got puppies and dogs in lockdown and they were working from home. Things have changed now, and with a lot of people going into work - they're struggling to juggle that.'
She added that dog food banks opening up across the UK will be a big help: 'I think that would be helpful for people. It's a tricky thing isn't it because some people will think that people come before dogs but, dogs are a massive part of people's lives, and they are part of the family.'
The tip of the iceberg?
Dogs Trust announced it had crossed the milestone of 50,000 requests to re-home dogs in 2022 - the largest annual figure in its 131 year history.
There's concern that as the cost of living crisis continues, new homes may need to be found for a further 350,000 dogs.
It's after a YouGov poll revealed a third (33%) of the UK’s dog owners are worried that, as costs continue to rise in 2023, the crisis will impact on how well they’re able to care for their dog next year.
Almost half of the respondents said it had been vet bills (46%), followed by the cost of dog food (18%) and pet insurance (16%) that were their biggest financial concerns around owning a dog.
In an effort to keep owners and dogs together, the charity has opened a number of Dog Food Banks across the UK, in centres at:
- Kennelman’s House Lazonby Penrith CA10 1AX
- Whiston Lane Huyton Liverpool Merseyside L36 6HP
- 45 Amesbury Road Newton Tony Wiltshire SP4 0HW
- Highway Farm Uxbridge London UB9 6JW
- 315 Hamilton Road Glasgow Scotland G71 7SL
- Plumb’s Farm Hamstead Marshall Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0HR
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says:
“Although it was inevitable that we would reach 50,000 calls from owners no longer able to care for their dogs, it’s still a shock and a stark signifier of the animal welfare crisis the UK now finds itself in.
“Through our December poll, dog owners have told us they’re going to struggle this Christmas, and many more are really worried about what 2023 is going to bring.
“We’re doing as much as we can at Dogs Trust to reach out and help dog owners who have been worst hit by the crisis. We’re expanding our help and support all the time so, if you’re having a hard time looking after your dog, please reach out to us before it’s too late - there are lots of ways that we can help.
“Our utmost priority is to keep as many dogs with their families as we can – and stop people having to make that heart-breaking decision to give up their dog.”
It comes after the Government revealed plans to help households save elsewhere - with a new £18 million campaign designed to give the public advice on how to keep their energy bills low.