The rising cost of living has created a challenging situation for pet owners, with many struggling to keep up with the expenses associated with owning a cat. According to a pet charity, Cats Protection, the cost-of-living crisis could lead to an animal welfare crisis, as owners are cutting back on essential services such as veterinarian care, vaccinations, and insurance.

A survey of over 3,000 cat owners revealed that one in three felt "greatly impacted" by soaring costs, Yahoo! News reports, with one in five admitting to spending less on vet services, including missing essential vaccinations or not microchipping their pet. This worrying trend could have severe consequences for the welfare of tens of thousands of cats, as owners express concerns about paying for both emergency and routine vet treatments.

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Some pet owners are struggling to keep up with the expenses associated with owning an animal.

As NPR reports, Pet owners who cut back on insurance or vet treatment could ultimately lead to higher costs if a cat becomes injured, gravely unwell, or even pregnant.

In response, Cats Protection has launched a new information hub with tips and ideas for looking after cats on a budget, with everything from how to make free cat toys to how to access help with costs such as neutering. The aim is to provide access to information and resources that can help every owner look after their cat.

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The cost-of-living crisis could lead to an animal welfare crisis, according to Cats Protection.

However, the challenges pet owners face go beyond financial struggles. Adoption centers have marked a rise in people giving up pets for financial reasons, as pet ownership becomes increasingly expensive, Petpedia data shows. This trend is worrying, as cats could end up in shelters, which could be stressful for them and have long-term implications on their physical and emotional well-being.

"The cost of living is having a greater impact on animal welfare than Covid. We've got desperate people turning up on our doorstep every week, and our waiting lists for people wishing to give their cat up are several weeks long." Nicola Murray, the deputy manager at Cats Protection's Harrow Homing Centre, told Harrow Online.

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Pet owners are cutting back on essential services such as veterinarian care, vaccinations, and insurance.

The situation calls for more support and resources for pet owners struggling to keep up with the cost of pet ownership during this challenging time.

Pet owners are making personal sacrifices to keep their beloved pets, with more than half of cat owners cutting back on spending on eating out, takeaways, days out, clothes, drinking, and holidays. This is a testament to the strong bond between pets and their owners, who are willing to make tough choices to keep their furry friends healthy and happy.

Photo: Pixabay
One in three cat owners feel "greatly impacted" by soaring costs, and one in five admitted to spending less on vet services.

As the rising cost of living is creating a challenging situation for pet owners, many are struggling to keep up with the expenses associated with owning a cat. The concerns raised by Cats Protection highlight the need for more support and resources for pet owners struggling to keep up with the cost of pet ownership.