Number of Abandoned Pets Soars by 57% 'Due to Credit Crunch'

by Charlotte Cardingham
Posted by Hannah on 27 April 2009
Number of Abandoned Pets Soars by 57% 'Due to Credit Crunch'

Animal welfare charity - the RSPCA - see a 57% increase in the number of pets abandoned by their owners as the credit crunch hits household finances.

Shocking figures from the RSPCA (Royal Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) revealed a 57% rise in the number of pets abandoned by their owners in 2008.

The animal welfare charity have cited the credit crunch and reduced household income as driving factors behind this sudden surge in cases of abandonment as families become unable to afford to keep the pets they previously cared for.

The RSPCA’s report, published today, revealed that a total of 11,586 pets were abandoned in 2008 – up from 7,347 in 2007 and amounting to over 30 cases a day.

Furthermore, their figures show that the number of cats abandoned by their owners last year was up 50% on 2007, while dog abandonments increased by over a third. Horses, rabbits, exotic animals and even fish were also being left to fend for themselves in increasing numbers as the ever tightening economic conditions placed an extra squeeze on household finances.

Sadly, RSPCA figures from the first two months of 2009 show little improvement with a total of 1,432 pets abandoned during this time.

“Now more than ever we need the public’s support,” said chief officer of the RSPCA inspectorate, Tim Wass.

“It is a challenging time for the RSPCA, but more importantly it is a crisis out there for the animals, and it’s only because of the public’s help that we’re able to do what we can.”

Source

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Your Comments

Martin Rutter
on 4 Jun 2009 10:31
Can owners be punished for pets being abandoned.
 
Allison
on 7 May 2009 20:13
i really don't know how stupid these people are to leave their pets out to die, which is what most of them do, stupid people! you can be soo heartless! all 6 of my cats were rescued by my family from the road!
 
L Johnston
on 28 Apr 2009 18:41
Makes me sick to my stomach. My pets are like my children. I would never give them up!
 
Josh
on 27 Apr 2009 22:20
I recently found a little dog on the road, and hung signs up all over the area with my phone number. We also contacted every vet & animal shelter for miles around. Weeks went by and nobody claimed the poor dog. Luckily some friends of ours took her and they love her like crazy. But we've always speculated that the dog was abandoned - otherwise it would have been exceedingly easy to find out what happened to her.
 
Rick Autry
on 27 Apr 2009 21:52
I am from a state in the US that requires that every person that drives a car be insured, or else their car can be impounded. That may seem like a bit too much, but what about if we said that if you really want a pet, you were required to insure it? I think that might make someone think twice before taking responsibility for another life with impunity. If you really do want that pet, you would pay it. It needn't be much at all. But if it comes to a temporary recession or whatever, and you were put in the position of not being able to take care of your pet, it would certainly help to provide for the life you took the responsibility for. This is all quite off the top of my head,but if I choose to take responsibility for another life, that pet would eat before I did. It had no choice of who would be it's caretaker,did it?
 
Mia
on 27 Apr 2009 21:42
It's a sad statement that people are so irresponsible and ignorant. Accepting the responsibilities of a pet involves a lifetime commitment to the care of another living being. C'mon people! As a parent, would you throw your toddler on the street to fend for themselves because you couldn't afford their care?!? OR, would you find ways to provide for their care because you love them and are committed to them? Same thing goes for being a pet parent! You do what is necessary to care for that living being you claim to love and have made that commitment to! You give up Starbucks on the weekends, the pub, eating out, and whatever it takes. If worse comes to worse and you simply can not, at LEAST you could find them a home where they will be cared for and loved! You don't dispose of them on the street exposed to illness, predators, elements, starvation, abuse and a host of other dangers. I know, I am a pet parent and have made that commitment and stand by it. So my suggestion is,
 
Mia
on 27 Apr 2009 21:41
It's a sad statement that people are so irrresposible and ignorant. Acepting the resposabilities of a pet involves a lifetime comittment to the care of another living being. C'mon people! As a parent, would you throw your toddler on the street to fend for themselves because you couldn't afford their care?!? OR, would you find ways to provide for their care because you love them and are committed to them? Same thing goes for being a pet parent! You do what is necessary to care for that living being you claim to love and have made that commitment to! You give up Starbucks on the weekends, the pub, eating out, and whatever it takes. If worse comes to worse and you simply can not, at LEAST you could find them a home where they will be cared for and loved! You don't dispose of them on the street exposed to illness, predators, elements, starvation, abuse and a host of other dangers. I know, I am a pet parent and have made that commitment and stand by it. So my suggestion is, do the right thing and take care of that living being you have pledged to take care of, and if you can't or won't, don't get a pet period!
 
Alec Bright
on 27 Apr 2009 20:38
I wonder if it is a case of wrong priorities. There is no way I would abandon my dogs or my cat, whatever the circumstances. When you take on a pet it is a commitment, which all to often the human breaks, just because of a change in circumstances, or new baby etc. It makes my blood boil. Animals are not that expensive to feed, and any person with love to give is likely to give a better home than even the best rescue centre can provide. A dog won't care if its owner is rich or poor.
 
wolfess
on 27 Apr 2009 20:13
take them to the aspca. but ask them not to put them to sleep if they cant find a home for them. if they cant find a home for them. then keep them and try harder. killing is not a option.
 
Paul
on 27 Apr 2009 17:57
Pure Greed! BT have excelled themselves again! they know damn well that many people don't have internet so how can they have paper free billing? £14 million extra profit per month just like that! disgraceful, I for one will be leaving for good.
 
Eliot
on 27 Apr 2009 17:18
Honestly... pets don't require a huge expenditure to maintain, unlike children/spouses. Do the right thing people, get rid of those kids. No more BS about having to buy games and clothes and setting aside for their education.