Patrice Baker had to surrendered her two pugs cross’ to Animal Welfare League Queensland due to housing availability and financial hardship

Patrice Baker has been forced to make the heartbreaking decision to part ways with her much-loved pug crosses Bella and Bailey. And she’s not alone

Patrice Baker has been forced to make the heartbreaking decision to part ways with her much-loved pug crosses Bella and Bailey.

She’s not alone.

The two pets are among 122 animals surrendered across south-east Queensland by their owners this year due to families struggling with financial hardship or housing availability.

Bella and Bailey were surrendered to Animal Welfare League Queensland due to cost of living crisis

Ms Baker made the hard decision to surrender the cute four-legged two-year-old pair to the Animal Welfare League Queensland Gold Coast shelter due to financial hardship.

In other instances reflecting cost-of-living hardship, AWLQ has revealed some pet owners forced out of accommodation have ended up living in vehicles instead of giving them up.

Ms Baker said after almost two years of owning Bella - a pug cross fox terrier - and Bailey, a pug cross king charles cavalier, she was told she had to find a new rental due to her accommodation being sold.

“I had to find another affordable rental in a hurry and unfortunately they said no pets allowed,” she said.

Ms Parker said she asked friends and family if they could take her two dogs but they were not in a situation where it was feasible.

“I miss them very much and it doesn’t look like I will be able to ever get them back,” she said.

“My biggest wish is they go to a lovely home as they are very adorable little dogs.”

Bailey (left) and Bella(right) with AWLQ staff member Laura Sharp. Picture Glenn Hampson

In 2021 Queensland landlords were no longer allowed to refuse pets in rental properties without a reason deemed valid by the state government.

Some of the reasons include lack of fencing, space, health or safety risks and if the pet will cause damage.

Animal Welfare League Queensland spokesperson Craig Montgomery said the Gold Coast shelter was inundated with animals, causing them to reach critical capacity.

“AWLQ continues to receive inquiries from families needing support with their pets, either short-term temporary help or, in the worst case scenario, support to rehome their pets,” he said.

“People needing to surrender their pets for accommodation reasons make up 22 per cent of all animals surrendered this year.”

There was an extensive wait list for pet owners who have been unable to find another option for their pet, he said.

“When you consider that we’re the last option for pet owners, most will ask friends or other family or post on community social media pages to secure an adoption, it is alarming,” Mr Montgomery said.

122 animals have been surrendered since January due to the cost of living crisis.

“But tenants have no options, they have to take whatever they can. There is so much demand and not enough supply of pet-friendly options.

“Even more heartbreaking, some families and residents prefer to live in their cars rather than be separated from their pets.”

Data from AWLQ showed 42 dogs, 18 cats, 10 guinea pigs, nine puppies, five kittens, five fowls and four rats were surrendered to their shelters because of accommodation related reasons.

A further 11 cats, nine puppies, eight dogs and one kitten were given to the shelter due to cost-of-living related surrenders.

Mr Montgomery said AWLQ ensured it would never euthanise a healthy, sociable or treatable animal and they would provide any animal which was given to the shelter the care it needed.

If wanting to adopt an animal visit your nearest AWLQ Animal Rehoming Centre.

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