The finanacial
pressure resulting from the credit crunch is having a knock on effect
on owners as well as the rescue organisations who are finding it more
and more difficult to raise funds. Reports suggest owners are
cutting back wherever they can on additional expenses, such as
insurance and preventative veterinary treatment and this is leading to
an increase in abandoned, injured animals resulting in rescue centres
being inundated with
unwanted dogs. Even breeders are having difficulty in selling
their litters of puppies. The same is true of more unscrupulous
breeders, such as puppy farms, where a lack of demand for litters has
generated an unwanted puppy mountain.
Tim Wass, the chief officer of the RSPCA inspectorate, says: "Over its
lifetime the average dog costs over £10,000 if properly looked
after. Because of the economic downturn and price increases
this figure is rising meaning next year we could see very high levels
of dogs being abandoned.
The cost of keeping
the average dog over its lifespan of 12 years
1. One 80p can of dog food
daily
2. Annual pet
insurance at £96
3.
Vaccinations, worming, flea treatments
4. £20
of mixer and treats every month
5. One
£60 sickness visit to the vet a year
6. Bedding
and Toys
7. Boarding
kennel fees at £120 a time
£3,504
£1,152
£1,200
£2,880
£720
£1,440
£100
Total
£10,996
RSPCA
spokesperson Jo Barr said that a couple of its re-homing centres have
reported people handing over pets they can no longer afford to
keep. She added: "Nationally the RSPCA has not yet seen any
evidence that the credit crunch has caused an influx of animals into
its centres. "However individual animal centres have reported one
or two such cases recently. It is inevitable that people living nearest
the breadline are most likely to feel the pinch as the credit crunch
takes effect. "They should seek advice from organisations such as
the RSPCA and also consider taking out pet insurance to cover any
unexpected vets bills. Anyone thinking of taking on an animal should
first find out exactly how much it will cost to keep and ensure that
they can afford to look after it for the whole of its life."
Cherry Mitchell,
of the Animal Rescue Charity in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire,
explained that they are running at full capacity. "We have more
dogs now than ever before, " she said. "the credit crunch is
having a major impact on peoples ability to look after their dogs
properly. Just last week, we had to take on an extra two dogs
because their owner had been evicted from her house."
A spokesperson
for Dogs Trust said that it has seen a massive surge in telephone calls
from people wanting to rehome dogs - one in five calls is now a
rehoming request compared with just one in ten a few months ago.
"The main reason people are quoting is the credit crunch. It is a
particular problem for people who have dogs that require veterinary
treatment."
The veterinary
charity PDSA is advising owners who are struggling financially to keep
their dogs and to use its services rather than allow their pets to
suffer. Sean Wensley, senior veterinary surgeon at PDSA says "We
are here to provide veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of
people in need," "So if you are recieving housing benefit or council
tax benefit you could be eligable for free veterinary treatment for
your dog from PDSA. We hope that with more owners using our
services, fewer pets will lose out due to economic harship." For
more information on PDSA PetAid services telephone 0800 731 2502 or
visit their website www.pdsa.org.uk
For many families the idea of giving up their pet is inconceivable, but
for some there is no alternative. In cases where homes are
repossessed and families are moved into rented accommodation where pets
aren't allowed, there is sometimes no choice but to give up the family
dog for adoption. Dogs trust has
launched a “ lets for pets “campaign. This is to help owners who are
facing a serious housing crisis because their landlords do not allow
pets. After a recent survey it was revealed that a shocking 78 per cent
of owners had difficulty finding privately rented accommodation with
pets. The charity is consulting with The Association of Residential
lettings agencies (ARLA) to develop the UK wide campaign which
encourages landlords to accept pet-owning tenants.
There’s no way
of guaranteeing that a new landlord will let you keep a pet, but if
you’re looking to rent, Dogs Trust has compiled some top tips for
finding pet-friendly accommodation:
1. Write a ‘C.V.’ for your
pet, so that your landlord can objectively consider if your dog may be
suitable as a tenant. Consider including the following points:
• Your dog’s breed, size, age and activity level.
• If your dog is a purebred, include the breed’s positive breed traits.
• Try to highlight your dog’s history of good behaviour and house
training.
• If your dog has attended and completed training classes.
• If your dog is neutered.
• If he is likely to moult.
• If he is generally quiet.
2. Get a pet reference from
your previous landlord or letting agent and offer to pay a larger
deposit to cover any damage. Offer to sign a ‘pet agreement’,
which should be included (or at least referred to) within the main
tenancy agreement. This should include points applicable to both
parties – for example, the landlord must give you sufficient written
notice if he changes his mind about allowing you to keep a pet, whilst
you must agree to ensure that your pet is off the premises when
maintenance work is being carried out.
3. Supply the details of your
vet and provide proof of up to date vaccinations, worming and flea
treatments. Include the details of someone who can look after
your dog in an emergency, so that your dog will not be left alone in
the property.
4. Tell your landlord how long
your dog will be left alone in the property on a regular basis. It will
help if you are able to state whether you will take your dog to work,
arrange for day care or be at home with your dog most of the time.
Inform your landlord how often and where you plan to exercise your dog.
Make an assurance that you will be responsible and pick up any poop
whilst out and that you will keep the garden free of droppings at all
times. Assure that your dog will be regularly groomed (as appropriate
for coat type), and carpets and soft furnishings will be vacuumed and
cleaned.
5. Stress that dogs are very
effective as a burglar deterrent!
6. If you and your pet have
lived in rented accommodation before, get a written
reference/recommendation from your previous landlord. This will really
help your chances – as long as your dog was well-behaved and you were a
responsible owner of course! Consider suggesting that your future
landlord may want to visit you and your dog in your current rented
accommodation, so that they can see the condition of the property for
themselves.
Do not be
tempted to sneak in your dog without permission and
hope that no-one notices. Breaking a no-pet rule may be grounds for
eviction and you may feel forced to rehome your dog at short notice, or
be left homeless – with no place for either of you to call home.
Please note that
if you are thinking about adopting a dog from Dogs Trust and live in
rented accommodation, they will require written permission from your
current landlord before allowing the adoption to go ahead.
source:
Dogs Trust Pets and The City
Shooting Times and Country Magazine October 2008
