Rising prices giving pet owners paws for thought
IN my experience the world is divided into two sorts of people: those who get it when it comes to pets and those who don’t.
The acid test as to which side of the fence you fall comes when the topic of the vet’s bill arises.
The ‘get it’ folk nod in sympathy as you describe your animal’s illness, subsequent treatment and eye watering cost.
“But what can you do?” they’ll conclude. “It’s a member of the family.”
Over in the other camp, there will be dropped jaws at your foolishness for stumping up that amount of cash, and enquiries as to whether a sack in the canal might have been the better option.
“It’s only an animal,” will be their take.
This week I came across both opinions as one of our moggies emulated the problems of many a middle aged chap and developed an issue with his waterworks.
Things went downhill fast though and suddenly it was late night callouts, emergency surgery and intensive care.
Greyer, thinner and older (that’s me), he’s back home now and recovering from the ordeal.
I too am in recovery, mainly from the cost which, despite insurance, remains considerable. But what can you do? He’s family.
We’re lucky. We were able to pay the bill. That’s not the case for increasing numbers of people.
I read this week a report from the RSPCA about the effect of the costof-living crisis on pet owners.
The charity is bracing itself for one of its toughest summers as folk abandon their dogs, cats, rabbits and gerbils simply because they cannot afford to look after them.
I don’t mean just meeting the cost of veterinary care but simply being unable to feed and water them.
There is also the issue of evictions – again on the increase – or families who have had to move to cheaper accommodation which won’t accept Fido or Tiddles.
I don’t, for one moment, equate this problem with being unable to feed your kids or yourself.
To the eternal shame of this country there are mums and dads who, right now, can’t put food on the table or turn the heating on or buy new school shoes.
We have elderly folk terrified at the cost of using the oven; people working two or more jobs just to make ends meet.
The priority must always be human beings.
But what makes us human is how we look after the vulnerable and those who rely on us – and that includes animals.
For many, many pet owners, their dogs and cats, budgies and hamsters are integral to their well being; for some, who may have lost so much, the unconditional love of a furry friend is everything.
To have to say goodbye to an adored pet simply because you can’t afford them anymore must be heartbreaking.
I don’t know what the answer is. Donate if you can to the RSPCA? Buy some pet food when you give to the food bank?
But we all owe our animals a duty of care – whether they belong to us or not.