Pet owners in Edinburgh and Midlothian who are struggling to afford to care for their pets are being given the opportunity to attend drop-in Pet Care sessions at four locations across the city.
Providing support, and guidance, the Pet Care Clinics are an in-person service which allows veterinary experts who volunteer for the Edinburgh Dog and Cat to support owners with basic behavioural queries, providing equipment to support training, advice on welfare, wellbeing checks and signposting to available services and support.
The monthly drop in sessions take place at Simon Community Scotland, Food Facts Friends (Penicuik), Craigmillar’s Edinburgh Food Project and the Salvation Army in Granton.
These venues are also supported by the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s food bank service, which works with 87 pet food bank providers across East and Central Scotland, providing meals to pet owners who would otherwise not be able to afford to feed their beloved pets.
The cost of living crisis has impacted the ways in which some pet owners care for their animals with some being forced to surrender their pets due to being unable to afford to care for them. From January to April 2024 the Home received 458 surrender requests from those struggling to keep their pet, they administered 104 vaccinations to animals in their care and provided 181 free pet essential items to owners in need.
Jamie Simpson, Director of People and Services at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said,“ We are seeing a worrying increase in the number of pet owners who are unable to afford vet treatment and don’t know where to go to get advice on training, behaviour, nutrition or general pet care.
“We want to take action to prevent minor issues, behavioural or veterinary, becoming much bigger issues and in doing so prevent a pet owner from potentially having to give up their pet.
“Our Pet Care clinics include a volunteer vet to support with basic pet care advice and are delivered in partnership with local organisations in a hub setting to allow owners to find support and advice under one roof.
“The aim is to support pet owners with advice as well as to signpost them to other support and in doing so, keep pets in loving homes.”
Volunteer vet, Victor Bates said, “For many of the people seen via Pet Care, the impression is that their pets are sometimes the one real emotional support and constant in their lives.
“I think that Pet Care helps to at least reduce some of the worries that people on low or no incomes have about feeding and ensuring the well being of their pets and companions.”
Volunteer vet, Susan Little said, “As a local vet with some spare time, I enjoy being able to help and advise people, whilst sharing in their stories of their pets, with all their adventures and mischief.
“Being part of a regular, small team of friendly faces allows trust to be built up, so that folk feel comfortable to confide in us about the issues they are facing. “We are able to give general support and advice, along with being able to make a bit of fuss of any dogs which they bring along.
“A bit of chat and humour with the people coming along to the sessions makes it an inclusive, welcoming time, which is rewarding for volunteers and owners.”
Hugh Hill from Simon Community Scotland said, “‘Across all our services we support people to stay connected with their dogs.
“We recognise the companionship and care each receives from each and in many cases it isn’t simply the most important relationship in their lives, it can be the only one. Our partnership with Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been hugely valuable in supporting owners and their dogs to stay together and have the support to maintain that powerfully healthy relationship.”
Please contact foodbanks@edch.org.uk if you would like to support the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home by running a pet food drive at your place of work or community group, or if any pet food store/business would like to help with donations.
For more information please visit: www.edch.org.uk/pet-care
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