RSPCA WA report 40 per cent rise in pet surrenders due to cost of living and housing crisis

The cost-of-living crisis is having an effect on man’s best friend, with the RSPCA WA revealing a 40 per cent rise in surrenders over the past year due to financial pressures and lack of pet-friendly accommodation. More than a third of all requests to surrender pets to RSPCA WA over the past 18 months were because owners could no longer afford to feed or care for their pets, couldn’t find a pet-friendly rental or had become homeless. Compared to 240 at the same time last year, 346 pet owners asked to surrender their pets in the first three months of the year — a 44 per cent jump. Animal and enforcement operations executive manager Hannah Dreaver said she was “gravely concerned” with how the cost-of-living crisis is impacting pet owners. “Seeing the cost of living and housing crisis still contributing so much to our surrender requests is disheartening but not surprising,” she said. “The RSPCA is helping in all situations it can, but we simply can’t accommodate all of the animals submitted for surrender and we are concerned for the welfare of the animals in these ongoing situations.” Situations like those of Gordon and his Jack Russell terrier Flossy — whose names have been changed to protect their privacy — are an example of what the RSPCA has been called in on. The pair had to part ways after Gordon became homeless three weeks ago. “As an older man, he had the choice between sleeping rough with 12-year-old Flossy and feeling unsafe for the both of them or having the chance at a bed for the night,” Ms Dreaver said. “What a heartbreaking, awful position to be in. “I really feel for Gordon, but I’m so glad he reached out and that we could give him some comfort knowing Flossy will be well cared for.” Most requests to surrender relate to dogs, with about half as many for cats, followed by rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and birds. RSPCA WA said it was looking forward to seeing rental reforms introduced by the State Government in November last year come into effect. These reforms will make it illegal for landlords to prevent tenants from owning pets, with landlords being allowed to refuse only in specific circumstances or with the approval of the Commissioner for Consumer Protection.