Northern Ireland

Canine cost of living crisis looming warns Dogs Trust

Dogs will be impacted by the cost of living crisis too
Dogs will be impacted by the cost of living crisis too Dogs will be impacted by the cost of living crisis too

THE cost of living crisis is proving bad news for man's best friend with a leading dog welfare charity warning that many people may struggle to provide for their pooches in the months ahead.

New figures reveal that 42 per cent of dog owners in Northern Ireland think it is now more difficult to give their dog all they need, compared to before the cost of living crisis began.

Following last week’s half point rise in interest rates, the welfare charity Dogs Trust has warned that the sky high cost of essentials, such as eating and heating, is leaving many owners unable to provide for their dogs.

The trust, which has a rehoming centre in Ballymena Co Antrim, said that with adoption numbers dropping because people can’t afford to take on a new dog, a potential canine housing crisis is looming.

Over recent months, there has been record number of requests for the charity to take people's dogs.

Inquiries to give up a dog have increased to the highest level since its records began, with 4,370 inquiries received in July 2022, the trust said.

It comes as a YouGov poll showed more than half of the north's dog owners (55 per cent) are worried about vet bills, while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) were most concerned about the cost of dog food.

Meanwhile, when non-dog owners were asked, as part of the August poll, whether the rising cost of living would prevent them from adopting or buying a dog, seven out of 10 people said it would.

Owen Sharp, the trust's top dog, said a cost of living crisis was looming that would lead to a less demand for rehoming dogs.

"Dogs Trust is issuing an urgent call for emergency foster carers, especially people with experience of caring for big dogs, who can provide a port in a storm to a dog who, for the moment, has nowhere else to go. If you can help, we urge you to get in touch with us and help look after the nation’s dogs through this crisis,” he said.

“Likewise, if you’re struggling to afford looking after your own dog, Dogs Trust will do all it can to help. I’m afraid we can’t promise miracles, but we’re always here to listen without judgment, talk through the options and give dog owners the benefit of our expert knowledge.”

The Dogs Trust is urgently seeking fosterers – experienced dog owners who can offer temporary homes to dogs in need. The charity is calling out, in particular, to people with "space in their homes and hearts for dogs".

If you think you can offer a dog in need a temporary home please contact us at www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/fostering.