There is an increase in animals being abandoned on Cumbria’s streets raising fears of an animal welfare crisis.

The cost-of-living crisis has left many families struggling to feed themselves and heat their homes meaning that tragically many cannot afford to keep their pets which is fuelling the increase in pet abandonment.

West Cumbrian animal volunteer Ramona Holloway has raised concerns about the number of abandonments due to the cost-of-living crisis and a lack of volunteers to help cope with the increases saying, ‘the worst is yet to come.’

Ramona has warned that a lack of volunteers and space to house abandoned dogs could lead to healthy dogs being put down.

She is launching a campaign to pressurise politicians to support TUKS law which would legally require vets to scan chips before euthanising healthy dogs.

The RSPCA have also echoed Ramona’s warning after a study said the cost-of-living crisis is the most urgent threat to pet welfare.

The ‘animal kindness index report’ has found that 68 per cent of respondents expressed concern that their cost of care was increasing, and almost a fifth worried about how they’ll afford to feed their pets with those figures set to rise even higher with the rise in energy costs and inflation slated to reach 18 per cent.

The Dog's trust have also released shocking figures that say a third of dog owners across the north felt they couldn't give their dog everything they needed due to the cost-of-living and warned of a 'looming housing crisis for dogs'.

The charity has issued an urgent call for emergency foster homes for abandoned dogs as fears grow for an influx of homeless dogs.

Emma Slawinski, director of advocacy and policy at the RSPCA, said: ‘we cannot ignore the stark suggestion that the cost-of-living crisis is the biggest single threat to pets in the UK today.

“We are on the brink of an animal welfare crisis due and tragically we’re starting to see an increase in the abandonment of pets – it’s absolutely heart breaking.’’

Anyone who is concerned about the welfare of their pet is urged to contact the RSPCA.

 

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