More than a third of pet owners said the cost of living crisis has forced them to make sacrifices in favour of their pups.
In a survey conducted by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT) involving 2,000 dog owners, 38% admitted to having made sacrifices.
Of this group, 37% said they would go without food items to save for dog food and 31% accept higher heating bills so they can keep their pets warm.
The current crisis has forced one in 10 to give up their dogs altogether, feeling the life they were able to afford for them wasn’t fair.
The KCCT has this year relaunched its Christmas appeal to help struggling owners make ends meet.
The Big Give
The Big Give – taking place in the first week of December – urges people to donate all they can. Every donation will be doubled thanks to two of the trust’s donors.
Chairman of trustees Bill King said: “We are thrilled to be taking part in the Big Give this year for the first week in December, and thanks to two very generous donors every £1 you give will be doubled, meaning you can ‘Double the Pawprint’ for dogs in need.
“After the Big Give, we’ll be running our campaign through to the end of December, to raise as much as we can for our canine friends this Christmas.”
Enabling people to keep their dogs has been found to be beneficial to their mental health.
In the same KCCT survey, 69% of people said having a family dog has helped children cope mentally with the cost of living crisis – making them smile or laugh an average of 37 times every week.
What help is available to struggling pet owners?
Food banks across the north and north-east are adapting to meet the needs of people as more and more begin to struggle with rising costs.
Many hand out – and seek – donations of pet food that owners can go along and collect.
The Scottish SPCA has even launched its Pet Aid scheme, teaming up with 16 foodbanks, including Cfine in Aberdeen, The Haven in Stonehaven and Caithness Foodbank to ensure there is a stock of pet food for those in need.
Meanwhile, The Press and Journal, Evening Express, Original 106 and Energy Voice is also working to raise awareness of the support while driving donations through the Big Christmas Food Appeal.
We’re highlighting the work communities are doing to help the most vulnerable, as well as debunking some of the myths around food poverty.
We’ve also teamed up with Cfine to pull together an Amazon wishlist, a JustGiving page and a number of drop-off points.
Get involved with The Big Christmas Food Appeal
Conversation