'I cannot afford to feed my cat': Heartbreaking note left with dumped kitten outside animal rescue charity amid concern unwanted pets are being abandoned at an 'alarming' rate Have YOU been forced to rehome a pet over cost concerns? Email [email protected].
uk By Frankie Elliott For Mailonline Published: 19:25 AEST, 27 August 2024 | Updated: 19:28 AEST, 27 August 2024 e-mail 5 View comments A kitten was left abandoned outside an animal rescue charity with a heartbreaking note from the owner saying it could not afford to feed it - as the number of pets being ditched rises at an 'alarming' rate. The 9-month-old moggy was found in a basket outside a Blue Cross animal hospital by a milkman, with a note attached which read: 'I cannot afford to feed and look after my beautiful cat. Please look after my cat in a way that I cannot.
May God forgive me.' Another cat and her litter were abandoned outside a separate rehoming centre with a note that said: 'Please help. As you can see from the cats' weight, I can no longer afford to feed them.
We tried to make things work but it's come to a point where I have to accept I'm causing more harm to them than good. I'm so very sorry.' The heartbreaking tales are ones the country's biggest pet charity is hearing more and more due to the dramatic increase in cats and dogs being brought to its rehoming centres.
In 2024, 79 per cent more dogs and 25 per cent more cats have been admitted to Blue Cross centres than last year, following a 32 per cent increase in all abandonments the previous year. The 9-month-old moggy was found in a basket outside a Blue Cross animal hospital by a milkman, with a note attached which read: ''I cannot afford to feed and look after my beautiful cat.' (NOTE: This is a file image, not the cat mentioned in the story) In 2024, 79 per cent more dogs and 25 per cent more cats have been admitted to Blue Cross centres (pictured) than last year, Since the start of 2023, more than 1,050 animals, including ten horses, have been abandoned into care.
The charity, which runs four animal hospitals and 11 rehoming centres, fears an even greater surge in the number of people giving up their pets this autumn due to rising energy bills. A reduction in the number of pensioners receiving the winter fuel allowance combined with the 9 per cent increase in the cost of gas and electricity in October would force many older people into 'heartbreaking choices', Blue Cross said. Read More I spent £19,000 on my pets' health, says LIZ JONES.
Vets have pushed up prices Owners are being urged by the charity to use pet food banks if they are struggling financially and to ask it for help rather than abandoning their pets. Chris Burghes, chief executive of Blue Cross, told The Times : 'It's extremely worrying to see more pets being abandoned but we fear we may see more this winter if bills jump again as people are really struggling. 'Our pet food banks provide a vital lifeline for owners who need help and we'd urge anyone struggling to seek help from us rather than abandon their pet.
'Pets are part of the family, and for so many they are their only family or companion, their only reason to get up every morning. We know the sacrifices many owners will make to keep them, including ensuring their pets are fed instead of themselves. 'We want to help keep pets and people together as much we can rather than people being forced to make the difficult decision to give up their pet.
' Gwen, from Bicester, has been getting help from her local Blue Cross pet food bank for her two kittens whilst she recovers from a stroke. Since the start of 2023, more than 1,050 animals have been abandoned into care (file image) The 84-year-old retired cleaner said: 'They mean a lot, they really do. I can't go to sleep if they're not in at night.
It would upset me tremendously if anything happened to them.' She also stressed that she 'don't know what I'd do without the help' of the charity amidst the rising cost of living. Through its pet food banks in Sheffield, Exeter, Newport, Bicester and Manchester, Blue Cross helps 85,000 pet owners and works with more than 500 other food banks to provide food to owners in need.
The charity said that donations of pet food were being accepted at Blue Cross rehoming centres and animal hospitals, as well as in all Pets at Home shops. New York Times Share or comment on this article: 'I cannot afford to feed my cat': Heartbreaking note left with dumped kitten outside animal rescue charity amid concern unwanted pets are being abandoned at an 'alarming' rate e-mail Add comment.
