Sunday 14 August 2022 06:22 PM Britons giving up pets in 'numbers not seen since the 2008 financial crash' as ... trends now
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Cash-strapped Britons are giving up their family pets in numbers not seen since the 2008 financial crash as the cost-of-living soars.
Battersea animal charity have 206 dogs and 164 cats currently being looked after at its rehoming centres.
Dogs Trust currently has 692 dogs needing homes in 21 centres across the country.
Other centres have reported seeing record inquiries for dog and cat returns during the tightest squeeze on living standards since at least the 1960s.
Steven Craddock (pictured) manages the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in southwest London
Many owners are being forced to decide the additional cost of food plus hundreds of pounds in vet bills is no longer manageable.
Exotic pets such as snakes and lizards are also proving too expensive due to their need for specialist heating and lighting.
Steven Craddock, who manages the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in southwest London said: 'We are concerned that's going to be an increasing reason for people bringing their dogs in to Battersea.'