Charity 'alarmed' at surge in animal rescues amid cost of living crisis
The SSPCA has seen an “alarming” surge in rescues amid the cost of living crisis with owners forced to give up their pets due to their financial circumstances.
The charity said it has seen a 25% increase in arrivals to its rescue and rehoming centres across Scotland in 2023, with 4,404 of the 6,944 animals taken into the charity’s care needing urgent attention.
In many cases the animals had suffered “unintentional harm” by owners who could no longer afford veterinary treatment.
The charity said it was “disturbed” by the number of special investigations they were forced to launch including 113 investigations into low welfare puppy dealers.
They added that around 43% of people who contacted the charity in 2023 gave financial circumstances as a reason.
This was the case with a “well-loved” six-year-old dog called Bentley who arrived at their Aberdeen Animal Rescue and Rehoming centre.
The owners made the “heart-breaking” decision to give him up as they could no longer afford to pay for veterinary treatment for his skin problems and allergies.
The charity added in 2023 they rehomed 3,881 animals to loving new homes, fostered 459 animals, and treated 5,163 wild animals.
Scottish SPCA said that their Pet Aid Service worked with 56 food banks last year, providing supplies of pet food essentials to help keep pets and families together.
The service helped more than 400 people each month across the year.
Following the success of the project, the charity is piloting a sister Pet Aid service offering community veterinary support.
The project, which is being piloted in the Glasgow area, sees a community veterinary nurse team visit owners and their pets at home to carry out basic healthcare assessments.
Animals in need of more complex veterinary treatment can then be referred to the Glasgow centre.
Scottish SPCA chief executive Kirsteen Campbell said that the latest figures highlight that animals across Scotland have never need the charity more.