The current cost of living is part of the daily conversation and daily worry at the moment – it’s affecting us all. The knock-on effect for our animals has begun to play out too, it seems. Last week the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland forecast an unprecedented winter and has appealed for public support.

It is just the latest animal welfare charity to warn of the massive impact of cost of living pressures on animals across the country this winter. The charity is dealing with the rising costs of caring for the 1,700 donkeys across its farms, holding bases and guardian homes, and stretching to meet the demands of the community support to donkeys abandoned and neglected.

Struggling

Sanctuary country manager Laura Foster explained that owners struggling to afford the costs of feeding and basic welfare are reliant on charities to provide critical support and referral services, saying: “Donkeys have a special place in Ireland’s heart and history. Despite that heritage, like all pets, sadly they can be viewed as a luxury when people fall on hard times. In short, when we suffer, they suffer.

“As this will be one of the toughest winters in living memory for many, we expect a sharp rise in the need for our support out in the community, and among our guardian homes.”

Dependency on the Donkey Sanctuary’s services had already risen by the end of the third quarter of the year, with a 26% increase in the number of repeat calls to donkeys needing the charity’s help.

Small pets

With life returning to normal, the time pressure on families allied to the soaring cost of living is leading to households feeling they can no longer meet the many and often complex needs of having a pet. With an unprecedented amount of surrendered dogs, rabbits and other small pets, it’s clear horses and donkeys are not the only animals feeling the tough hand of harder times.

Last week the Dublin Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) appealed for more volunteers to help with its increased animal intake and foster programme. As a charity, the DSPCA is reliant on their dedicated volunteer base, many of whom are retirees. It currently has 257 active volunteers working in roles from animal care to dog walkers to education to administrative duties. Volunteers are currently finding themselves under pressure due to the huge amount of sick and neglected animals they are seeing.

Perhaps if you have some spare time or a spare field, you could help.