Animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA says the cost of living crisis has become “the biggest threat to animals in the UK” after nearly three-quarters of pet owners surveyed highlighted spiralling prices as a growing concern.
Its Lanarkshire centre is described as being “almost at capacity”; staff there have cared for 677 animals in the first half of 2022 alone and have needed to appeal for items including food, blankets and toys four times this year due to demand.
Now the organisation says its facilities are seeing increases in the number of animals coming into their care, including dogs and rabbits; and that they “fully expect to see a rise in owners who are unable to care for their animals or afford vet bills”.
