CUMBRIAN animal charity warns that the cost of living and lockdown are leading to an animal welfare crisis.

Oak Tree Animals’ Charity is seeing significant increases in 'animal surrenders' in 2022 with huge increases in the numbers of much-loved animals being given up for financial reasons and dog behaviour issues.

Oak Tree has seen the number of dogs being relinquished due to behavioural reasons double in 2022.

Between January and July in 2021, 15.5% of dogs relinquished for the same period, surrenders due to financial hardship have increased by 500% where people can no longer afford to keep their pets due to the rising cost of living.

Caroline Johnson, General Manager at Oak Tree explains “At Oak Tree we are currently seeing what seems to be the start of a ‘perfect storm’."

"The combination of the rising cost of living with the increased number of animals obtained during lockdown seems to be leading to a huge demand for our help and a reduction in the number of people looking to take on a new pet at this time. Charities are also seeing increasing costs with fuel bills, veterinary care and other supplies increasing steeply causing significant financial challenges.”

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