Three Things to Know
A UK study on pet ownership challenges revealed that financial difficulties were the most prevalent and consistent concern in both 2022 and 2023. However, socio-environmental and health-related issues saw an increase during this period, while dog owners consistently reported more behavioral challenges.
Benefit recipients, food bank users, and individuals with long-term illness or disabilities were disproportionately affected. Households with children, particularly lone-parent families, reported the highest levels of these challenges. Notably, only 14% had accessed pet care support, with 41% of those who didn’t citing a lack of awareness.
Regarding potential prevention of pet relinquishment (including euthanasia, which accounted for 40%), 36% of respondents felt nothing would have helped (often due to health issues), while 27% were unsure. However, 17% suggested pet training and understanding support, and 13% mentioned temporary foster care. Interviews indicated a common assumption that support is unavailable, compounded by feelings of guilt and shame that deter help-seeking.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
This UK study underscores critical issues for dog welfare organizations, notably the financial hardships faced by pet owners and the underutilization of available support. The key recommendations outlined below warrant careful consideration. Proactive measures addressing these challenges are essential for improving outcomes for companion animals.
The Full Picture
While pet ownership can enhance health and wellbeing, it also brings challenges, such as illness, behavioral issues, and the burden of responsibility. In the UK, there is limited understanding of the most common problems faced by pet owners, especially those experiencing financial hardship. Despite the availability of support from animal welfare charities, eligible individuals often do not seek help — possibly due to stigma or shame. Understanding the impact of economic vulnerability and barriers to accessing support is crucial to preventing pet neglect or relinquishment.
This study, titled “Understanding pet ownership challenges in the UK”, explores key issues surrounding pet ownership in the UK. It explores six different research questions:
- In the UK, who is experiencing the greatest challenges caring for their pet/s?
- How are pets sourced and what do pets mean to their owners?
- What are the challenges associated with caring for pets?
- To what extent are pet ownership services or support accessed?
- What factors are involved in the relinquishment of a pet?
- What are the barriers to seeking support when challenges are experienced?
Study Methods
The study used two main approaches: an online survey and follow-up interviews.
Online Survey
Conducted in July 2022 and June 2023, the survey was a condensed version of a previous Scottish study, designed to be completed in 15 minutes. It included five parts:
- Part 1: Collected demographic, employment, health, and financial background information.
- Part 2: Explored participants’ current pets, reasons for ownership, and difficulties affording care.
- Part 3: Focused on challenges, including behavioral, financial, environmental, and health-related issues. It also measured attachment to the pet and the impact of these challenges on the owner’s life.
- Part 4: Assessed whether and how participants accessed pet care support services, and if not, why.
- Part 5: Investigated past pet relinquishment, reasons behind it, emotional responses, and any support used or needed.
Interview Study
Interviews were conducted online from November 2022 to April 2023 using a narrative approach with semi-structured guidance. Participants were Blue Cross clients who had accessed various services (veterinary, behavioral, or food banks). Interviews lasted around 40 minutes and explored participants’ experiences, reluctance to seek help, and the effects of support received. Ethical considerations included avoiding probing into personal finances and offering support resources post-interview.
Study Results
The online survey included 500 UK adult pet owners in 2022 and 1,000 new participants in 2023. For the online interview, twenty participants (15 female, 5 male; ages 29–67) took part. Fifteen were clients of Blue Cross veterinary hospitals in London and Grimsby, while the remaining five participants were not facing financial hardship.
1. The Specific Challenges of Pet Ownership
Financial challenges were the most common and consistent concern across 2022 and 2023. In 2022, 54% of owners reported financial difficulties in providing care; this rose to 62% in 2023. The cost-of-living crisis and reduced income were leading factors. Around one-third of owners in both years said they had struggled to properly care for their pet due to finances. The most worrisome costs were vet care, medication, food, and insurance.
Socio-environmental and health-related issues increased between 2022 and 2023, especially among cat owners. Dog owners consistently reported more difficult behavior and greater life disruption than cat owners. Still, cats were more affected by the financial challenges in 2023, possibly because owners selected cats for affordability and thus felt price hikes more acutely. Around 8-10% of both dog and cat owners had considered giving up their pets, mainly due to financial strain, behavior issues, or emotional stress.
Care provision influenced outcomes. Pets registered with private vets or with insurance faced fewer socio-environmental and health-related issues. Neutered pets showed fewer behavioral problems. However, owners of pets that had received behavioral training actually reported more behavioral challenges — likely reflecting pre-existing issues rather than the ineffectiveness of training.
Qualitative findings highlighted the emotional toll of pet-related stress, especially when compounded by financial vulnerability. Participants described making personal sacrifices to care for their pets, struggling to afford treatment, and facing traumatic decisions like rehoming or euthanasia. Many experienced these periods as the most stressful of their lives. Coping strategies included cutting back on personal needs, seeking support, delaying care, or, when no other option remained, relinquishing the pet.
2. People Experiencing Challenges
- Location: No significant differences were found across UK countries. However, London residents reported more socio-environmental challenges, and those in West Central Scotland experienced greater financial anxiety than other Scottish regions.
- Age, Ethnicity, and Sex: No significant differences were found based on age or ethnicity. While overall challenge levels didn’t differ by sex, males reported more behavioural and environmental challenges, while females reported more financial anxiety.
- Financial Situation: Benefit recipients, food bank users, and people who were long-term sick or disabled (but not retirees) experienced greater challenges. However, employment status alone did not significantly influence challenge levels.
- Family Circumstances: Larger households (3–4 people) and households with children experienced more socio-environmental challenges than two-person or child-free households. However, lone parents and separated individuals reported the highest levels of these challenges.
- Living Arrangements: Those living in houses or owning homes reported fewer socio-environmental challenges than those in flats or rentals. No difference was found between private and public renters.
- Health and Caregiving: People in very good health faced fewer socio-environmental and financial challenges, and fewer pet health issues. Those with activity limitations due to aging or illness reported more challenges. Carers for others also reported more financial anxiety than non-carers.
3. Sourcing Pets and Their Significance
The study showed that pets were mainly sourced from rescue centers or animal welfare charities (2023: 25%), breeders (2023: 28%), or people the owners knew (2023: 22%). However, the source of the pet did not significantly affect the level of challenges owners experienced.
Support at the time of acquiring a pet varied. Many owners — particularly cat owners — received no advice. When advice was given, it mostly focused on basic needs; far fewer were informed about costs, insurance, or behavioral support.
Most participants acquired pets for companionship and emotional connection. Dog owners reported stronger bonds than cat owners. This was supported by qualitative interviews, with owners often described their pets as family and expressed a deep sense of sacrifice — prioritizing their pets’ well-being over their own comfort and needs. Greater attachment was associated with fewer reported challenges, such as behavioral or health issues, though no link was found with financial stress or anxiety.
4. Accessing Support
Help-seeking behavior: In both 2022 and 2023, a small percentage of pet owners accessed support to help care for their pets — 16% in 2022 and 14% in 2023. Most accessed veterinary services, pet care advice, behavior training, or pet-sitting services. Very few received help from animal welfare charities like Blue Cross.
Barriers to accessing support: The vast majority (84% in 2022; 86% in 2023) did not seek support. The main reasons were not needing it (2023: 59%), lack of awareness that support was available (2023: 41%), or uncertainty about eligibility and services (2023: 24%).
Who sought support and why: Those who accessed support reported more severe challenges and greater impact on their lives, especially regarding pet behavior, health issues, and financial difficulties. Seeking help often occurred during a crisis, especially related to sudden veterinary costs or financial hardship.
Qualitative interviews showed that support was usually prompted by financial strain, particularly among long-term low-income individuals or those recently affected by illness, job loss, or other life disruptions. Costly veterinary care during emergencies was the most common trigger for seeking help.
Experiences with Blue Cross: Feedback was largely positive. Participants praised the compassionate, trustworthy staff and efficient services. Blue Cross was described as a “lifeline.” However, some reported issues since the COVID-19 pandemic, including communication difficulties, suspended services, and confusion about coverage.
Recommendations from service users
- Raise awareness of available support, especially in high-need locations like food banks, clinics, and public transport.
- Offer support for grief after pet loss.
- Expand affordable behavioral support, especially for older dogs.
- Provide education on choosing suitable pets and understanding lifelong care requirements.
5. Pet Relinquishment
Around a quarter of participants had relinquished a pet — 26% in 2022 and 21% in 2023. Most commonly, these were dogs (53–56%) and cats (32–38%), followed by small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and horses. Most relinquished animals were adults, with fewer seniors and young pets.
The most common outcomes were euthanasia (around 40% for both dogs and cats), rehoming to someone they knew (about 30%), or rehoming through a charity (about 20%). Reasons for giving up a pet varied, but increasingly challenging issues with cats were noted in 2023 compared to 2022.
Although the majority said nothing could have helped the situation — usually due to the pet’s poor health — some identified helpful support options: training or behavior advice, temporary foster care, and free online consultations.
Relinquishing a pet caused significant emotional distress. Over 80% felt sad or distressed, and nearly half experienced guilt or shame. Interviews revealed the process was deeply traumatic, often driven by external pressures like housing insecurity or a pet’s declining health. Many hadn’t accessed grief support, despite still mourning past pets, suggesting a need for specialist bereavement services.
6. Barriers to Seeking Support
The study found that available support was generally underutilized. In 2022, 37% of those who relinquished pets accessed veterinary support; in 2023, this dropped to 26% for private vets and 4% for charity vets. Few had sought help from animal welfare organizations (only 2% used Blue Cross).
Over a third were unaware support existed, and a quarter were unsure what services were available or whether they were eligible. Even among those who did seek help, animal welfare charities were rarely approached, often due to lack of awareness or visibility.
Qualitative interviews revealed deeper reasons why people don’t seek support:
- Stigma, pride, and shame: Many people feel judged for being on benefits or needing help, fearing they’ll be seen as irresponsible pet owners.
- Guilt: Feeling like they should be able to cope on their own or shouldn’t burden charities.
- Fear of judgment: Some feared being seen as “abusing the system,” a belief reinforced by others’ critical attitudes.
- Assumptions and misperceptions: Some assumed no support was available or believed others were more deserving.
- Practical barriers: These included financial concerns, transport/mobility issues, mental health challenges, and anxiety about navigating support systems.
- Emotional and personal issues: People struggling with addiction, or who did not prioritize their pets, were also seen as unlikely to seek help.
Participant attitudes and appreciation
Many who did receive support from Blue Cross expressed a strong desire to give back, such as through donations or volunteering. However, critical views of perceived system abuse may contribute to the broader stigma that discourages others from seeking help.
Recommendations to reduce barriers
- Proactively identify pet owners during benefit applications or support services intake.
- Improve visibility of pet-related support services through trusted locations (e.g., doctors’ offices, food banks, public transport).
- Use non-stigmatizing, positive messaging to normalize seeking help (e.g., compare to NHS, frame as a “vital service”).
- Provide discreet options for people who feel ashamed or embarrassed.
- Introduce mobile/pop-up services to improve access, especially for those facing transport or mental health barriers, or for homeless pet owners.
Implications and Recommendations
Demographic Breakdown
The findings from this research highlight several important considerations for improving support for pet owners, especially those facing significant challenges. While no notable geographical differences were observed, it was clear that individuals experiencing financial difficulties often encountered the greatest obstacles in caring for their pets. As such, it is essential to target support efforts in areas of deprivation and in communities that currently lack adequate services.
Particular attention should be given to lone parent families, individuals living alone, and those whose daily activities are limited due to age or health conditions. These groups may benefit from additional outreach through thoughtfully designed social marketing campaigns. There is also a clear need to better understand the circumstances of highly vulnerable or marginalized populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or struggling with physical or mental health issues.
Communication
To address the widespread lack of awareness around available support services, there is a strong case for developing a central, collaborative resource. Although many animal welfare charities offer valuable information on their individual websites, a single, well-promoted platform could serve as a comprehensive starting point for both potential and current pet owners. This resource would ideally provide guidance on choosing suitable pets, understanding breed-specific needs, and navigating the emotional and financial responsibilities of pet ownership. Drawing inspiration from models like the Pet Education Partnership (PEP), this central hub could help individuals make informed, responsible choices and better prepare for common challenges such as behavioral issues or aging.
Animal welfare education should also emphasize the long-term implications of owning a pet. Prospective owners need to understand not only the immediate costs but also the emotional and logistical responsibilities that come with caring for an animal. Strengthening the human-animal bond through educational campaigns can protect against harm and promote responsible ownership. However, it’s equally important to acknowledge the emotional toll when pets become unwell. In such cases, strong attachments may lead to delayed decisions around euthanasia, potentially prolonging an animal’s suffering. Providing accessible information and support for navigating these difficult moments, such as that offered by the Blue Cross, can help owners make more compassionate choices.
Marketing and communication strategies must take into account the reasons why many people are hesitant to seek help. There is often a strong sense of personal responsibility tied to pet ownership, accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame when external assistance is needed. Discreet, non-judgmental messaging — such as framing support services as akin to an NHS for pets — can help overcome these barriers. Promoting such services in spaces frequented by those in need (e.g., food banks, GP surgeries, public transport) can also improve visibility and accessibility.
Prioritization
Still, any efforts to expand awareness must be balanced against the limited capacity of animal welfare charities, which are already stretched thin. Prioritizing support for those in greatest need will be essential. Encouraging owners to seek help earlier, before issues reach a crisis point, may prevent more serious outcomes, including pet relinquishment. Some participants in the qualitative research expressed a strong desire to give back to the charities that supported them — whether through volunteering, donations, or other means—which suggests that support services could be rebranded to highlight community reciprocity rather than charity alone.
Expanding services in partnership with government agencies and community organizations is another crucial step. Welfare Officers and Citizens’ Advice Bureau staff, for example, could play a key role in signposting relevant services. Offering practical and emotional support to owners during difficult times — such as when a pet is ill or exhibiting behavioral challenges—could significantly reduce stress and improve outcomes for both people and pets. Online advice, short courses, and helplines are all potential avenues for delivering this support in an accessible way.
Finally, targeted community-based services, such as dog walking programs or temporary foster care, could make it possible for more individuals to keep their pets through periods of instability. Supporting pet owners through the emotional challenges of relinquishment and loss is also vital, and expanding initiatives like the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support service could play an important role in promoting both animal and human well-being.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > United Kingdom > Pet Ownership Challenges
Year of Publication:
2024
External Link:
Muldoon, J. C., & Williams, J. M. (2024). Understanding pet ownership challenges in the UK. https://www.pure.ed.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/426786980/Understanding_pet_ownership_challenges_in_the_UK_March_2024.pdf