New survey reveals many would find it hard to pay unexpected bills.
With the chancellor due to set out the Government’s latest Budget on Wednesday 15 March, Dogs Trust has renewed its call for a pause in VAT on pet food and veterinary services.
The charity launched its 'Paws the VAT' petition to the chancellor in November last year, arguing that removing VAT would help owners who were struggling in the cost of living crisis.
The need for action has been been reinforced by the results of a new survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the charity.
Sixty four per cent of pet owners questioned answered that they would find it difficult to pay unexpected veterinary costs of £500, with 15 per cent saying they would struggle with an unexpected bill of just £100.
Financial pressures are leading to an increase in owners giving up their pets. Last month, Dogs Trust received 5,566 handover requests. This represents a 33 per cent increase compared to February 2022.
To help tackle the problem, the charity has opened dog food banks at some of its rehoming centres and offered discounts on its training classes.
However, it argues that more needs to be done to support pet owners and is calling on the Government to act, a position which the survey suggests has public support. Sixty one per cent of respondents said they would support the chancellor removing VAT on pet food and veterinary care in the forthcoming Budget.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said: “We may be slowly emerging from winter and into brighter times, but the situation for dog owners only seems to be getting worse. The majority of dog owners now say they’d struggle to pay an unexpected vet bill of £500 and at Dogs Trust, we’re receiving an astronomical number of calls from desperate owners who feel they simply can’t keep their dogs.
“With the majority supporting a cut in VAT on vet care and pet food to help them through the crisis, I reiterate our call to the chancellor – please help our dog loving nation so that we don’t have to see more households lose their beloved pets.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
