Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Cost of living crisis 'biggest single threat to pets', report finds
The RSPCA is starting to see the effects of rising costs and is beginning to see an increase in pet abandonments.

Groundbreaking report suggests cat owners are the most impacted and concerned.

The rising cost of living is the most immediate threat to pet welfare, a new report suggests.

The groundbreaking report, entitled the Animal Kindness Index, was conducted by the RSPCA in collaboration with the Scottish SPCA to assess the nation's attitude towards animals.

Of the 4,000 respondents, more than two-thirds (78%) of the public said they think the rising cost of living will impact their animals.

Seven out of 10 expressed concern that the cost of care was increasing, while a fifth said they were worried about how they will afford to feed their pets.

The study, which found that more than two-thirds of the nation describe themselves as 'animal lovers', also suggests that cat owners are the most impacted and concerned about the cost of living pressures.

It comes after similar research by Dogs Trust revealed that two-thirds of owners feel worried, to some extent, about how they will care for their dog as they start to feel the pinch.

Emma Slawinski, director of advocacy and policy at the RSPCA, said: “It’s great that our research has confirmed we are a nation of animal lovers, however 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 to the rise in pet ownership during the pandemic, coupled with the cost of living pressures biting - especially those on lower incomes. It’s absolutely heartbreaking."

Emma added that the RSPCA is starting to see the effects of rising costs, as it and other charities had predicted, and is beginning to see an increase in pet abandonments. 

She continued: "It’s worrying to see that 33 per cent of pet owners have experienced issues they did not expect with their pets and, sadly, we are now seeing an increase in pets coming into our care, many because owners are struggling to afford to pay for behavioural support, vet care or even to feed their pets.

“The RSPCA and the Scottish SPCA prioritise animals most in need of neglect and cruelty and would urge any pet owners struggling to seek help to address problems at the earliest opportunity so that problems do not spiral out of control.”

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, head of innovation and strategic relations at the Scottish SPCA, added: “We have been lucky so far that we have not seen much of an impact on our services from the cost of living crisis but we are under no illusions.

"We know Scotland is a nation of animal lovers and people will do their best to keep their animals with them, even in the toughest of times. However, we fully expect to see a rise in pet owners who are unable to care for their animals or afford veterinary bills in the coming months due to rising costs."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.