A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to “urgently work” with charities and the veterinary industry to introduce targeted animal welfare support across the country to prevent pets from being abandoned or euthanised as owners struggle to cope with the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Wildlife protection and animal welfare campaigner, Dominic Dyer, created and posted the petition on the petitions-parliament website and warned that without intervention from the UK Government, “millions of dogs and cats could be at risk” on a scale not seen since the Second World War.
The petition proposes that a network of pet food banks should be introduced across the UK and that more kennels and veterinary care support is needed. Mr Dyer also wants to see the UK Government introduce free veterinary care for the pets of people who are homeless and mental health support for those working in the veterinary industry.
