Cat owners unable to keep because of cost of living bitten by crisis – after helping them through confinement

news7f08/20/2022

1 2 minutes read

Pictured: Dustin 2-month-old male tabby and white kitten gifted to Battersea his as owners were no longer able to look after him.

These are the faces that have helped their owners overcome the loneliness of being locked up and its consequences.

But all the hours have been given to shelters – as families short of their money, hit by the cost of living crisis, can no longer afford them.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says 148 cats have been delivered to it ‘for financial reasons’ this year, double the number in 2021.

In the photo: 2-month-old male cat Dustin and white kitten were given to Battersea because its owners could no longer take care of it.

Many people say that they are captive pets and that their owners underestimate the cost of their care.

Bridie Williams, director of welfare and care for Battersea, said: ‘People are concerned about the rising cost of living in winter and fear they will not be able to afford to care for their beloved cat. .

‘Often owners are devastated and go through a grieving process because they lost their cat. It was a very emotional time for them. ‘

Battersea said it had not noticed a change in the number of dogs assigned to its shelter in South London.

Many of the cats that ended up in its care went astray, but last year, 5.9% were from families who could no longer afford their pets.

In the first six months of this year, that number hit 9.6% – and that’s before energy bills start to skyrocket this winter.

Pictured: Black and white 2-year-old female Magpie Magpie was brought to us in April when her owner found out she was pregnant and couldn’t afford the costs of managing the pregnancy and taking care of the kittens

Pictured: Two-year-old black female Nori was brought to Battersea with her five kittens in April, because her owner could no longer afford the costs associated with taking care of a nursing cat pregnant

Amanda (not her real name) found her two cats to be huge support during her time in captivity but was forced to give them up in June for financial reasons.

She said: ‘I’m struggling to afford groceries and I don’t want my cats to suffer, so it’s best to find them a better home.

‘I struggle with mental health and cats are such a big part of my life, so it’s frustrating having to get rid of them.’

Ms Williams added that it took Battersea twice as long to raise a cat because people were wary of the rising costs and hesitant to take on additional financial responsibility.