ANIMAL rescue centre is reporting an increase in pets being handed in to them by distraught owners faced with choice of feeding them or themselves.

The cost of kitten crisis has led the Mayhew Rescue Centre to take pet essentials donations to foodbanks around north London. There are also concerns for pet owners who will be coping with high levels of anxiety and depression if they are unable to properly feed animals, who will not understand why.

Mayhew’s cat welfare coordinator Georgina Costi said: “It is heartbreaking because people will be choosing whether to feed themselves or their pets. And let’s face it, if you have something dependent on you, whether it’s a pet or a child, most people will put that dependent first.

“When you are going hungry you know why you are going hungry. But a cat and dog won’t know why.”

She added: “Thinking about not feeding my cat, and how anxious I would feel about that, I could completely understand if the NHS was to see an increase in depression. If anyone’s feeling anxious, they can pick up the phone. We are asking the public to donate food and other things – a dog harness, bowls, coats.

“Most of the food bank operators are really, really happy for us to take the food over to them. They say they get human food, but not pet food because people don’t really think about donating that.

“All the food banks we speak to say there has been a large increase in people asking for pet food. But not everyone can get a referral to a food bank.”

With the squeeze on finances there are concerns that it will be hard to maintain a healthy diet for pets.

Ms Costi said: “If you’re feeling the pinch, you go for cheapest on the shelf. With human food there can be five different types of baked beans, from Tesco home brand to Heinz. But often pets just won’t eat certain food. It’s not quite as simple as being able to choose the cheaper brands.”

Georgina Costi

Ms Costi said she often arrived at the Mayhew in Kensal Green to find a pet carrier outside, adding: “It’s cats in particular, literally in carriers in our doorstep. That really shows desper­ation. I can’t remember during the pandemic anyone saying they were giving up a pet because they could not afford it. “

But we definitely had a number already this year. We don’t have space most of the time but we would still rather people brought them to us than just dump them on the street.”

She added that during the pandemic basic kittens had been sold for £400 because at the time “everyone wanted a pet”, adding: “Vets weren’t neutering as well because of the problem with oxygen. It just meant there were more cats in the world. About six months ago we saw a shift in the pattern to being very slow for adoption and vastly less people taking on cats.”

Ms Costi advised all pet owners to get insurance as help with vet bills was not out there for those not on benefits but struggling financially, adding: “Monthly fleaing and worming; if you’re an indoor cat, the litter; insurance and the price of neutering has gone up massively. And all that means is there’s a tonne of mouths to feed.”

l Can you afford to help? The Mayhew is taking donations at its centre in Trenmar Gardens, NW10 or call on 020 8962 8000. The RSCPA offers low cost vet care for those on benefits and also advice on payment plans. The Mayhew advises for those who can afford it to buy insurance before bills get out of hand.