It seems, however, that even "mans best friend" is beginning to feel the pinch. Animal charities are reporting a big increase in stray and abandoned animals with families forced to give up their pets to make their money go further.
For the first time, Battersea Dogs Home reported recently that they had almost reached full capacity with many more dogs and other animals being brought into the home.Another charity - The Dogs Trust - in an article for The Times newspaper reported a similar story.
Previously, the trend was for a post Christmas increase in strays, when the cuddly puppy or the sweet kitten grew and maybe started to lose the novelty value. This year, the increase has come at least a month early. In 2007, Battersea took in 5,335 dogs over the year. This year they have had 6,430 - and over 80 per cent of these were strays.
Battersea think this is simply as a result of the economic downturn or credit crunch. New legislation also means that it is also more difficult to to return strays to their owners. The Chief Executive of Battersea said people who had lost their dogs were not necessarily looking for them because of the financial pressures they are under.
She added that Battersea and other local rescue centres would rather people contacted them if finances mean you are unable to keep your pet, rather than allowing them to roam or simply dumping them on the streets which can result in accidents and injury or even the death of the animal.
The Dogs Trust, based in west London said that it can now take up to six months to rehome a dog, rather than the three months it used to take, again due to the financial climate. The trust offers some tips to owners to save money - for example - if possible, buy dog food in bulk from pet specialist stores, try feeding your dog on dry food instead of tinned. Pet insurance can save you huge amounts of money on vets bills, and your dog will get by very well without a diamante collar or a waterproof coat!
Local authorities are now responsible for strays,not the police as previously. This is as a result of the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act. If your dog goes missing , a quick call to your local Council office could see you being reunited with them in time for tea
How the figures add up - To keep a medium sized dog will cost between 710 and 810 pounds per year. This covers : food (150 pounds), deworming and defleaing (50 pounds), grooming (100 pounds), kennel fees for 2 weeks (140 pounds), pet insurance (120 pounds).Pet insurance could save you many hundreds of pounds in the event of your pet needing surgery , treatment after an accident, or if it develops a chronic illness and Neutering cost (between 150 and 250 pounds). This all adds up to a staggering 13,000 pounds over the lifetime of your dog.
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