Scottish SPCA reports surge in calls to give up pets
Financial issues can leave pet owners worrying about affording pet food and care.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) has revealed a ‘worrying’ rise in calls from pet owners who are looking to give up their pets.
The charity reports a 24 per cent increase in calls from pet owners that were looking to give up their pets in 2024.
A total of 4,779 people have called the charity in the past year to get advice on the topic. This is an average of approximately 92 people each week.
Scottish SPCA says that an increase in calls is often the result of a challenging economic environment. It says that financial issues, such as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, can leave owners worrying about affording pet food and care.
As a response, Scottish SPCA has committed to expanding its charitable work across Scotland so that those struggling have the support they need.
The charity says that, in 2024 alone, its community work has helped 16,478 owners to stay with their pets through times of financial hardship. This has included advice from inspectors, as well as essential pet care items provided by Scottish SPCA’s Pet Aid food services through Scotland’s food banks.
In the past six months Scottish SPCA has also launched Pet Aid’s sister service, Pet Aid Veterinary.
The project is being piloted in the Glasgow area to offer community veterinary support and reduce the need for animals to be brought to Scottish SPCA. Community veterinary nurses visit pets at their homes, where they carry out basic, essential healthcare assessments. Any animals in need of more complex treatment are brought to the charity’s Glasgow centre.
Since its launch, Pet Aid Veterinary has already provided treatment to 489 animals.
Scottish SPCA says that the rise in phone calls about giving up pets highlights the importance of its services. It says that early support is key to prevent situations from spiralling.
Kirsteen Campbell, Scottish SPCA chief executive, said: “It’s never been more clear that across Scotland there’s a desperate need to tackle the root causes of animal welfare issues and get help into communities before issues start to spiral.
“Our inspectors and animal rescue officers do an incredible job on the frontline but too often they are seeing complex and sad situations where earlier help could have prevented an animal needing to come into our care.
“That’s why in 2025 we’re boosting our efforts to help people in communities across Scotland, changing the way we work and making sure our services are being directed to where they’re most needed so that we can help as many animals and people as possible to stay together.”
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
