Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has warned that it could be "brought to its knees" by an 800% rise in its gas and electricity bills.
The 140-year-old animal refuge stated that electricity next year is estimated to cost £31,160 while the gas bill is expected to top £63,735.
The organisation provides a shelter for hundreds of dogs and cats annually, but over the past 12-months has seen an unprecedented rise in pets requiring a home - due in part to owners surrendering their pets as the cost of living rises.
This month alone, more than 80 owners have applied to give up their family pets - a 46% rise from the previous month.
In a bid to stem the tide of surrender requests from owners, the charity was the first in Scotland to provide pet food to foodbanks and now feeds 3,000 animals monthly via donations.
Facing a worsening situation this winter, the home has now begun lobbying both Scottish and UK government ministers, seeking assistance for the animal charity sector.
Currently, it receives no funding or any financial benefits from national or local government, instead relying purely on donors, while developing small income streams such as training and animal first aid.
Chief executive Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine commented: "We have made substantial savings through in-house cost-cutting, but what we cannot do is reduce the level of care we afford our animals - they are and always will be our priority.
"While we appreciate these unprecedented energy price rises are hitting everyone and will start to hit others' in the animal charity before long, we cannot simply try and absorb them through donations.
"We need to see positive action now to ensure the future of the home and the wellbeing of the animals in our care."
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