Purr-chase pain as cost of living bites pet owners
Pet owners are bidding farewell to grooming, premium food and insurance as the price of keeping an animal skyrockets.
Pet owners are being forced to forego animal insurance, cut back on grooming and opt for cheaper food, as the rising cost of living continues to grip households and many struggle of support their furry companions.
Following a record number of pet adoptions through Covid-19 lockdowns, skyrocketing costs to support animals have come as a shock to many of the owners who attended the Sydney Cat Lovers and Dog Lovers Festivals this week.
Attendee Danni Costa said she was only able to support her two dogs because she didn’t have to look after any children.
“We don’t go out as much,” said Ms Costa, who came to the festival with her husband Fred. “Our groomer doubled in price. At first the two of them were $70, now it’s closer to $220.”
Australian dog owners spent an average of $4247 on their animal last year, which was almost double the average cost in 2019 ($2157). A cat or dog will typically cost an owner between $3000 to $6000 in the first year of ownership, according to the government‘s MoneySmart website.
Cat and dog food prices rose by an average of 1.3 per cent each month throughout 2022. The RSPCA’s program for subsidised pet care for owners in dire economic circumstances grew in demand by 350 per cent across NSW between July 2022 and 2023.
Julia Packer’s one dog costs her $30 a week in food, and cost of living pressures have forced her to make many hard choices and struggling to provide her dog with the same quality of care as when it was younger.
“I’ve given up the pet insurance,” she said. “I can’t go to the groomers anymore.”
Festival organiser Jason Humphris warned prospective owners against purchasing animals unless they were willing to cop the added costs that accompany them.
“People have got to slow down and make more decisions about bringing a pet into your home. It’s true what they say, a pet is for life, it‘s not just for Christmas,” said Mr Humphris, who has organised the Dog Lovers Festival since it first began in Melbourne in 2013. “We wanted all the adoption shelters to be there, all the experts, the vets.”
Tracey Camp, who breeds Norwegian Forest Cats, only sells around 45 cats a year in order to make sure they’re all taken in. The average price for a Norwegian Forest Cat from a known breeder reached $1200 to $1600.
“I don’t bring kittens to these shows, because the adult cats are what they’re going to be living with,” Ms Camp said. “Covid was insane, and now the market is just starting to pick up again.”
The Festivals boasted 800 dogs and 200 cats, with two fully sold out days of exhibitions, competitions and showcases.The dual festivals featured their own share of spectacles, from the skateboarding cat Didga to a competitive diving competition for dogs.
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