Warwickshire dog rescue charity warns of animal welfare 'crisis' due to rising cost of living - The Rugby Observer

Warwickshire dog rescue charity warns of animal welfare 'crisis' due to rising cost of living

Rugby Editorial 22nd Jul, 2022 Updated: 22nd Jul, 2022   0

A CRISIS in animal welfare is developing due to the rapidly rising cost of living, according to a Rugby dog rescue charity.

Staff at Pawprints Dog Rescue say they are under huge pressure as a rise in pet ownership collides with the squeeze on household budgets.

Like all rescue centres across the UK, the charity is receiving unprecedented numbers of requests from owners to surrender their dogs, as rehoming slows down and more people are looking to give up their pets.

It is currently at maximum capacity, with many dogs receiving medical treatment for previously untreated health issues including tumours, and major skin and eye conditions – all putting immense financial pressure on the charity.




Head of Operations Anita Twigger said: “We have an avalanche of dogs suddenly needing rescue space. It’s been many years since we were unable to source space outside of the organisation.

“The nation needs to realise that the sector is in crisis. We need help now – in a few months it will be too late.”


Recent research by the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) shows that demand for rescue dogs has declined in the past year while the number of dogs being abandoned is higher in 2022 than the previous two years. There is also evidence to suggest that there is a similar trend for cats.

Halita Obineche, Executive Director of ADCH, said: “There was a huge surge in people getting pets in lockdown and we are dealing with the fallout. Inexperienced owners unable to manage pets with behavioural issues caused by poor training and a lack of socialisation; workers returning to the office; and now the rising cost of living, all combining to create a national animal welfare crisis.

“Our members emerged from lockdown struggling with a lack of funds and a dearth of experienced staff. They are overburdened – both in terms of space and the emotional toll of dealing with an epidemic of dog abandonment.”

In a survey, 70 per cent of ADCH member rescues reported an influx of dogs with behavioural issues. This is in line with studies indicating that inexperienced dog owners are giving up dogs they acquired during lockdown and are now unable to care for – and anecdotal evidence suggests similar reasons for the relinquishments of cats.

Sara Atkinson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yorkshire Cat Rescue, said: “We have seen a marked decline in the number of homes offers we receive. There has also been an influx of cats and kittens coming in due to owners struggling to pay vet fees, and we have also seen a significant increase in the number of unwanted litters.

“The rescues are now struggling to cope, and we are now at breaking point.’

Pawprints has saved the lives of over 2,000 dogs from the Rugby, Leamington, Warwick, Daventry, and Nuneaton areas in the past 10 years.

The charity is appealing for volunteers and donations to help the charity through the crisis. Visit www.pawprintsdogrescue.org or email [email protected] for more information.

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