When it comes to the rising cost of living, groceries and housing might be top of mind, but pet owners are also increasingly feeling the heat.

A Finder survey of Australian pet owners found 45 per cent have cut back spending on their animal companions to save money.

Some costs that become a victim of belt-tightening include pet food, vet appointments and grooming services.

Three per cent of pet owners – equivalent to 207,000 households – admit they have had to give up their pet or take it to a shelter due to financial strain.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to care for pets on a tight budget,” Finder insurance expert James Martin said.

“Cash-strapped owners are taking action to cut pet-related costs, but that could lead to costly long-term health complications.”

Some pet costs shouldn’t be cut

Switching your dog’s favourite brand of food for a cheaper alternative or skimping on insurance could help cut back on expenses, but experts warn that cancelling a trip to the vet could cause big problems down the track.

Sarah Zito, senior scientific officer (companion animals) at RSPCA Australia, said the best way to save money in the long run is to be proactive.

Trips to the vet are one of the key expenses you shouldn’t cut. Photo: Getty

“This includes things like keeping up with preventative health care, feeding a good-quality diet, making sure your pet is desexed, and having pet insurance,” she said.

“We also encourage pet owners to reach out if they need support, whether it’s to the RSPCA or another organisation. Some organisations have programs that offer, for example, assistance with veterinary care and other types of support.”

Suzana Talevski, spokesperson at Melbourne-based shelter organisation The Lost Dogs Home, said many vets offer payment plans, so you should shop around to find the best deal for you.

Support available

Organisations and the level of support they offer for struggling pet owners may vary between states and territories.

For example, RSPCA NSW provides access to affordable vet services such as desexing, behavioural support, food, and flea, tick, and worming treatments.

These services are provided through a variety of schemes, including ones specifically targeting older people who own pets, victims of domestic violence, and pet owners from low socio-economic backgrounds (the latter must possess a pension or health care card).

Cost-of-living pressures are clearly hitting pet owners hard, with RSPCA NSW having seen a rise in people requesting support over the past 12 months.

But its shelters are still at capacity, and there is currently a waitlist for people to surrender.

Adding to pressures on RSPCA NSW shelters, and in a sharp U-turn from pandemic trends, pet adoption rates have declined by 30 per cent.

The Lost Dogs Home is seeing a similar turn of events, with a 60 per cent increase in animal surrenders in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same time last year.

The organisation has about 800 animals in its care, with large dogs the most likely to be surrendered as they often cost more in upkeep.

“The cost-of-living pressure definitely is having an impact with people … with pets, and that means that it’s then having an impact on shelters across the country,” Ms Talevski said.

“Before you get to that point [of giving your pet up], maybe speak to your vet.

“If food prices are a concern, they might be able to put you on the right track to some cheaper alternatives for your pet’s food, and there’s often payment plans as well for when you take your pet to the vet.”

How to give up your pet

If worse comes to worst, and you’re left with not option but to say goodbye to your beloved pet, Ms Talevski warned against trying to find a new home for the animal by advertising online.

With “unethical, unscrupulous” organisations or individuals with the wrong intentions looking for animals – for example, to use them in illegal dog fights – she said the best thing you can do is ask your local shelter or council for advice.

An RSPCA NSW spokesperson said if you are using social media to find your pet a new home, make sure to emphasise that you’re looking to rehome your pet, not sell them for a fee.

RSPCA NSW does not condone the selling of animals on sites like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. Photo: TND/Gumtree

Check any laws that might apply to these advertisements as well; according to laws in New South Wales and Victoria, for example, you must include the pet’s microchip number in the post.

But if you can, consider different options before rehoming or surrendering your pet.

The RSPCA spokesperson said some alternative pathways include asking family or friends for either short-term or permanent help, reach out to a community page on social media, or speaking with the place that you originally got your pet from to see if they have capacity to support you. 

And if you’re looking to adopt a pet, make sure you’re prepared for a long-term financial, emotional, physical and time commitment.

“Always make sure that you’re going to be able to look after that pet for the duration of its life … having a pet can sometimes be a 15- to 20-year commitment,” Ms Talevski said.

“So it’s not something to enter into lightly.”