From foodbanks storing pet food, litter and grooming tools, to free veterinary care and training sessions – there’s a lot being done out there to make sure we can afford our furry friends.
And with the cost of living crisis forcing many of us to reassess our spending, it’s never been more important.
These lifelines for pets are, of course, being set up by animal charities, such as Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, PDSA, the RSPCA and others. The staff at these pet welfare organisations are determined to ensure owners can afford to keep their furry companions.
But they’re right to be worried.
An alarming report The Animal Kindness Index, published by the RSPCA last year, showed that nearly one fifth of pet owners were worried about the cost of feeding their animals. A further 78% were convinced the cutbacks they were having to make would impact on their pet/s. Those statistics were based on the responses of more than 4,000 adults living in the UK.
The many benefits of pet ownership
For many of us, the thought of having to rehome our pets is unthinkable. And it certainly wouldn’t do our health any good. Not if you take a look at the many studies published on the internet which show having a pet can give us a boost both mentally and physically. They can cheer us up with their antics and provide an antidote to loneliness – something that can’t be underestimated. Age UK see loneliness as an epidemic for the elderly. To the extent that their director Caroline Abrahams predicts loneliness will affect more than two million people aged 50 and over by the year 2026, without more research into the problem.
Getting back to the benefits of pets, those of us lucky enough to have a dog find that our eager four-legged friend, encourages us to get out and walk (the latter being good cardiovascular exercise) and get some fresh air. And actually, that walk with the dog is also a great way to meet people and make new friends. It’s the reason many people moving to a new town or village buy a dog in the first place (including the writer of this article!).
Then there is the fact that stroking a cat, dog, guinea pig or other furry creature can actually lower our blood pressure. Playing with an animal – even just for 10 minutes - is also stress relieving and anxiety-reducing.
Taking care of a pet also gives us a routine (regular mealtimes or walk) and something to think about other than ourselves. The nurturing activity can also provide a sense of well-being.
Tips to manage money for your pet
The RSPCA provide a list of tips to help you can save money, while at the same time, ensuring you can afford to continue to care for your pet. This includes switching your pets existing food to a less expensive brand - good luck with notoriously picky cats! - or even switching from wet to dry (which goes further).
Regular medication for your pet can often be less expensive if you buy it online (just ask your vet for the prescription). If you have insurance then it definitely pays to shop around for the best deal. For acute illness or injury then there are specific veterinary charities who don’t charge for attending to your pet if you have a very low income or are on benefits. If your pet is unruly, runs away or has a habit which is going to make them ill in the long run, then you can also access free animal training from some of the charities, such as Blue Cross.
In other words, if you are struggling with your pet’s bills you’re not alone. And take comfort in the fact there are lots of places to turn – for both you and your furry companion.
