How rescue centres are impacted by the cost-of-living-crisis

During the cost-of-living-crisis, it has become apparent that animal rescue centres are very busy. Amy Ockelford is the RSPCA's senior national press officer. She explains: "We are seeing more animals coming into our care - likely as a result of the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic coupled with the cost of living crisis."

According to the RSPCA, 42% more animals arrived into their care than were adopted. They also have 1,500 animals in privately run emergency boarding centres, waiting for space in their rescue centres.

Sophie Vye works for Staffie and Stray animal rescue in Bournemouth and has also noticed the impact of the cost-of-living-crisis. They have seen 40-50% more pets be given into their care due to cost of living issues. She explains this can put a lot of pressure onto the rescue centre.

"It's a lot of pressure, because you want to help as many as you can, but we don't have a never ending supply of kennels, so it's pretty tricky. There's literally no space and we aren't able to help sometimes, if someone says, you know, I need to get rid of my dog today, it's not always viable for us to do so," she says.

Staffie and Stray rescue centre in Bournemouth logo. (Sourced by Staffie and Stray rescue)