One in ten consider giving up their pets
Pets4Homes says it's because of the cost of living crisis
A new report says almost one in 10 UK pet owners are considering giving up their companion, to cope with cost-of-living pressures.
Almost a fifth of owners (18%) are already falling into debt to pay for their pets' care, while 25% said they will not take their pet to the vet due to the high cost, online pet marketplace Pets4Homes found.
Some 60% of rescue centres saw a decrease in pets being rehomed last year, with 42% full up in 2022 compared to 22% in 2019, according to the site's industry report.
A quarter of rescue centres (26%) said financial reasons were most commonly given by owners handing over a pet to be rehomed.
Large dog breeds were most commonly given up for adoption, with German Shepherds and Staffordshire Bull Terriers topping the list.
Flat-faced dogs, such as pugs and French bulldogs, have declined in popularity after an increased focus on health issues among the breeds.
Meanwhile, goldendoodles were 2022's most popular breed, with 1,800 viewers per advert, Pets4Homes said.
The fierce competition for a pet during 2020, when there were around 420 potential buyers for each pet advertised on Pets4Homes, has now stabilised to around 80 buyers.
Overall lower demand for pets is also reflected in prices, with the average cost of a dog or puppy falling from £2,065 during the pandemic to the current £995 - but still higher than the pre-pandemic £876.
UK managing director at Pets4Homes, Lee Gibson, said: "The cost-of-living crisis is already having a major impact on pets and their owners. The current challenges have resulted in a clear end to the boom in pet adoption and rehoming which defined the lockdown period, as cost is discouraging many from seeking a new pet.
"Yet the crisis is further proving that the international reputation of Britain as a nation of animal lovers is accurate as ever. Our findings reveal that the majority of UK pet owners will do everything in their power to keep and maintain their pets - already reducing expenditure and prepared to go to extremes should it be necessary.
"However, what is alarming is that pet ownership is already causing debt for some and that nearly one in 10 of us is having to consider giving up our best friends.
"Beyond the challenge of rehoming such a number of animals, the psychological impact of separation from much-loved animals cannot be underestimated."
Head of public affairs at the RSPCA, David Bowles, added: "Like the insights from the Pets4Homes report, the RSPCA has seen an increase in public concern on caring for their pets, with 19% worried about affording to feed their pet.
"The 8% of the public who say they are considering giving up their pet in the survey are now starting to be seen by the RSPCA frontline services, who have seen a 25% rise in animals being abandoned in 2022 compared to the previous year.
"This comes at a time when the RSPCA and other rescues are facing the double whammy of their own costs increasing whilst being expected to deal with an increasing number of dogs and cats being handed in by owners."
The cost of living crisis is affecting many:
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.