Bristol Animal Rescue Centre says it is seeing more and more pets handed over with severe medical conditions, as the rising cost of living leads to many owners facing significant financial difficulties. Nationally, the charity says that animal intake is up 8.4 per cent as pet owners struggle to afford their pets' care during the crisis.
What's more, with the animals' untreated medical conditions, pets are staying longer to receive care from such charities - the average stay for a dog is up from 85 days to 93 days. And fewer people are currently willing to adopt, especially dogs with more complex needs.
Jodie Hayward, animal home manager at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, said: "Many pets are going without urgent medical care, particularly during the cost of living crisis and unfortunately we are picking up the pieces. More animals are coming into our care with complex needs and fewer people want to adopt them.
