Three Things to Know
A UK study interviewed pet owners on why they don’t ask for help, identifying barriers and gathering recommendations for charities to enhance their services.
Interviewees reported feeling discomfort, intimidation, or shame when initially seeking assistance. They often downplayed their difficulties or feared being asked to rehome their pets. Concerns about unpredictable veterinary costs and a lack of awareness regarding available services and eligibility were also significant barriers.
Despite initial hesitation, most interviewees were ultimately motivated by their pets’ needs. To improve their experiences, they suggested private consultations, framing services in an empowering and non-stigmatizing manner, and increasing partnership touchpoints to raise awareness.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
Dog welfare organizations developing new services, such as low-cost spay/neuter programs or pet food banks, should prioritize optimizing the initial point of contact. Offering more private consultations through text-based communication at an initial stage to build rapport, or designating secluded spaces within facilities represent options to improve comfort levels for pet owners. Clear assurances regarding rehoming concerns and potential financial costs are crucial. Furthermore, collaborating with human service organizations can provide struggling pet owners with additional avenues for awareness and access to support.
The Full Picture
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a notable increase in pet relinquishment, yet many people delay or avoid seeking support despite struggling. The reasons behind this hesitancy are not well understood. However, parallels can be drawn from research on the non-take-up of low income benefits, which highlights barriers such as stigma, perceived ineligibility, and the burden of navigating support systems. These same issues likely apply to pet-related support. People often feel shame or failure in seeking help, and may lack awareness of available services.
This study, titled “Why are some people in the UK reluctant to seek support for their pets?”, explores why pet owners don’t ask for help, what their pet-related support experiences have been, and how charities can better reach those in need.
Study Methods
The qualitative study involved 20 participants (15 women, 5 men, aged 29–67), most of whom had accessed Blue Cross veterinary hospitals in London and Grimsby. Others had used services such as pet bereavement support, behavioural support, or pet food banks. While most participants were experiencing financial hardship, a few were not. Interviews were conducted online between November 2022 and April 2023, lasting around 40 minutes each. Researchers focused on participants’ personal stories of accessing support, their challenges, and their thoughts on why others in similar situations might not seek help.
Study Results
1. Initial Experiences Accessing Support
Most participants found accessing support relatively straightforward and appreciated the kindness of staff. However, some initially felt discomfort, intimidation, or shame due to changes in life circumstances or societal stigma around needing help. Despite this, many prioritized their animal’s welfare over personal discomfort, often adopting a pragmatic mindset about seeking assistance.
2. Barriers to Seeking Support
Participants identified pride, shame, fear of judgment, and embarrassment as major deterrents for others. These feelings were often intensified by societal narratives that stigmatize poverty and benefit recipients. Some also expressed guilt over past decisions (e.g., taking on a pet without fully understanding the responsibility) and feared being perceived as irresponsible or being advised to rehome their animals.
3. Desire to Remain Independent
Some people avoided seeking help out of a belief that they should manage alone. Others downplayed or denied their struggles, possibly due to cultural attitudes, personal pride, or a reluctance to burden others.
4. Financial Concerns
The high cost of veterinary care was a major barrier. Participants stressed they would always prioritize their pet’s needs but recognized that others might avoid seeking care due to cost fears. Some were frustrated by cases where people didn’t seek help even when pets were clearly suffering.
5. Other Barriers
Additional challenges included not knowing about available services, lacking eligibility, or being unable to care for animals due to personal issues (e.g., mental health or substance abuse). Employed individuals not on benefits were seen as particularly vulnerable to falling through support gaps.
6. Personal Reluctance to Ask for Help
Even those receiving help sometimes felt guilty or ashamed, worrying about taking up resources or being judged. Some questioned the quality of free care or felt uncomfortable asking for more help despite needing it.
7. Recommendations for Improvement
Participants stressed the need for respectful, discreet, and non-judgmental services. Suggestions included improving privacy during appointments and reframing support services to reduce stigma (e.g., presenting them like the NHS or Citizens Advice).
8. Cultural Narratives – Giving Back, Sacrifice, and Equity
Many felt a moral obligation to “give back” through donations, volunteering, or other means. Sacrifice was a strong theme — participants commonly went without to prioritize their pets’ wellbeing, likening their care to that of a child. Fairness and mutual respect were also central; people wanted to be treated with dignity regardless of their financial situation.
Conclusion
The study explores why some pet owners do not seek support even when they are eligible and in need. Deep-rooted societal values around sacrifice, giving back, and self-reliance contribute to feelings of shame and stigma, deterring people from asking for help. This “entangled shame” is often reinforced by public systems and media narratives that portray help-seekers as irresponsible or lazy. Despite improvements in service sensitivity, negative past experiences or fear of judgment may prevent people from reaching out.
Clear, compassionate communication and services framed in empowering, non-stigmatizing ways — such as referring to aid as a “vital service” or NHS-style support for pets — may encourage others to come forward. Testimonials and creative partnerships could help normalize help-seeking and reduce shame, coupled with clear information and opportunities to give back, could help more people seek assistance — ultimately protecting both pet welfare and their humans’ wellbeing.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
–
Year of Publication:
2024
External Link:
Muldoon JC, Williams JM. Why are some people in the UK reluctant to seek support for their pets? Animal Welfare. 2024;33:e25. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2024.19