Cat Owners Fear Cost of Living Crisis Will Impact Their Pets

Animal Kindness Report reveals cat house owners are involved about the price of dwelling

Cat house owners are probably the most involved about the price of dwelling and the way it will impression the care they’re capable of present to their pets, in line with a groundbreaking new report by the RSPCA and Scottish SPCA.

The groundbreaking inaugural report* – the Animal Kindness Index – relies on a YouGov survey of greater than 4,000 UK adults**, which appears on the nation’s angle in direction of animals.

The report discovered that whereas animal welfare is likely one of the prime most essential social points individuals had been requested about – with over two-thirds (69%) of the general public describing themselves as ‘animal-lovers’ and 75% of individuals saying they’d carried out an act of kindness for animals prior to now, the rising price of dwelling is threatening the care of our pets.

The report revealed that 72% of pet house owners assume the price of dwelling may have a adverse impression on animals within the UK. The research additionally confirmed that cat house owners appear to be most impacted and anxious about price of dwelling pressures.

Emma Slawinski, director of advocacy and coverage on the RSPCA, stated: “It’s nice that our analysis has confirmed we’re a nation of animal lovers, nonetheless we can’t ignore the stark suggestion that the price of dwelling disaster is the largest single menace to pets within the UK at this time.

“We are on the point of an animal welfare disaster as a result of rise in pet possession through the pandemic, coupled with the price of dwelling pressures biting – particularly these on decrease incomes. It’s completely heartbreaking.

“We’re beginning to see the knock-on results of this as we, and different charities, predicted. Tragically we’re beginning to see a rise within the abandonment of pets and rising numbers of cats and rabbits being rescued and coming into our care.”

Cat disaster

While 68% of pet house owners stated the price of taking care of their pet had elevated within the final 12

months, this rose to 73% amongst cat house owners. And though 28% of pet house owners had been nervous about with the ability to care for his or her pet, this rose to 32% amongst cat house owners, whereas almost a fifth (19%) had been nervous about with the ability to afford to feed their pet, rising to 22% amongst cat house owners.

The RSPCA is seeing a year-on-year rise in some pets coming into its care; and within the first 5 months of 2022, the charity took in 14% extra cats than the identical interval in 2021.

RSPCA cat welfare knowledgeable Samantha Watson added: “With an estimated 12 million cats*** being saved as pets within the UK, it’s extremely regarding to listen to that so many cat house owners are involved about with the ability to care for his or her pets correctly as a result of rising price of paying for issues comparable to meals and vet payments.

“We would urge anyone who’s struggling to pay for his or her cat to achieve out to mates or household for assist, or to talk to their vet about potential choices. There are additionally a lot of organisations and charities, comparable to native meals banks and rescue centres, who will assist if they’ll.”

Case research: Rosie & Daisy

RSPCA Macclesfield, South East Cheshire & Buxton branch, Cheshire, took in three-year-old sisters Rosie and Daisy in February when their proprietor may sadly now not afford their care following a change in private circumstances. They are candy, affectionate and pleasant cats who could be a little nervous at first and would swimsuit a household dwelling with older youngsters

Case research: Stripes

Stripes the cat got here into the care of the Scottish SPCA’s Lanarkshire centre after his proprietor sadly grew to become unwell and will now not present the care he wanted. At first, Stripes discovered cattery life very worrying and would hiss and swipe at employees. However, as soon as he lastly settled and obtained to know the crew he confirmed his true character. He could be very affectionate and likes to play!

Food banks

The RSPCA has expanded its food bank scheme in England to assist extra pet house owners who’re struggling. Many centres and branches**** have teamed up with their native meals banks to assist assist households who could also be struggling.

Paul Cardwell (pictured), 55, from Preston in Lancashire, has had eight-year-old cat Lucky since she was a kitten. He began utilizing his native meals financial institution in 2020 and likewise helps as a volunteer with deliveries.

He stated: “The meals financial institution makes an enormous distinction to my life as my meals and pet meals retains going up in price. Getting meals from the meals financial institution means we now have sufficient for each of us and I don’t have to decide on between cat meals and my meals, though I might select to feed Lucky over myself any day.

“The price of dwelling has made life a lot more durable and dropping my dad made life a battle. Lucky helps me by means of arduous instances.

“I’ve by no means thought of giving Lucky up as she is my life, my household; she is my sole supply of firm. It doesn’t matter what occurs in life, we’ll all the time be collectively.

“Lucky means all the pieces to me; she is a good pet, member of the family and my companion. She cuddles up on my mattress and all the time cheers me up when I’ve dangerous days. I may by no means be with out her.”

The RSPCA and the Scottish SPCA’s emergency cruelty traces are beneath rising strain as calls have returned to pre-pandemic ranges and as we enter the busy summer season season. Sadly we aren’t capable of assist with price of dwelling issues.

There are a lot of methods to indicate kindness to animals this summer season:

• To assist, please donate to your native pet meals financial institution (discover your native meals financial institution on-line) or donate to your native rescue centre by way of its Amazon Wishlist;

• To assist the RSPCA and the Scottish SPCA of their efforts to create a kinder world to animals please join as a campaigner on-line;

• Or to donate to assist the RSPCA and the Scottish SPCA proceed of their important work to rescue animals from cruelty, rehabilitate the sick and injured, and rehome and launch animals, please go to www.rspca.org.uk/donate or www.scottishspca.org/support/donate.

• If you accumulate Nectar factors whenever you’re buying you could possibly donate these factors to the RSPCA by means of our Crowdfunder page.