A LOOMING rehoming crisis has led to Evesham’s Dogs Trust charity launching an urgent appeal for emergency foster carers.
According to the latest statistics, there has been a 40 per cent increase in dog owners in the West Midlands finding it more challenging to provide for their pets since the start of the cost of living crisis.
And the branch had seen an influx of inquiries from people about giving up their dogs.
Owen Sharp, the Dogs Trust CEO, said: “The UK is fast heading towards a situation in which, due to the cost of living crisis, we’ll have a surplus of dogs whose owners need to give them up, but a deficit of people who can afford to take on a new dog.
“Dogs Trust is issuing an urgent call for emergency foster carers, especially people with experience of caring for big dogs, who can provide a port in a storm to a dog who, for the moment, has nowhere else to go.
“If you can help, we urge you to get in touch with us and help look after the nation’s dogs through this crisis.”
Half of the West Midlands dog owners said they found vet bills their biggest financial canine concern for the coming year.
Another 22 per cent were most worried about the cost of dog food, and 13 per cent named insurance as their lead worry.
Adoption numbers have also been reportedly dropping in line with the cost of living crisis because people are becoming less and less likely to be in a financial position to able to look a dog.
A poll this month discovered six out of ten people (65 per cent) of non-dog owners in the West Midlands would be reluctant to get a dog due to rising costs.
Mr Sharp added: “Likewise, if you’re struggling to afford looking after your own dog, Dogs Trust will do all it can to help.
“I’m afraid we can’t promise miracles, but we’re always here to listen without judgement, talk through the options and give dog owners the benefit of our expert knowledge.”
People can visit dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/fostering if they are interested in fostering a dog.
