Animals are being abandoned across Belgium at record levels, as soaring inflation and a general cost of living crisis have rendered pet ownership increasingly unaffordable to many Belgians.
In an interview with La Dernière Heure, President of SPA La Louvière animal shelter Gaëtan Sgualdino noted that both the rise in pet abandonment and a corresponding sharp decrease in animal adoption are placing increasing strain on pet shelters across the country.
"We are fully booked, but this is the case for all shelters," Sgualdino said. "The phenomenon of abandonment is not new. Before, we had [a few] cases every three months. Today, we receive several each week... Over a month, we now receive about sixty. It's a huge number of animals!"
Sgualdino further noted that the rise in animal abandonment had been exacerbated by the end of Covid-19. During the pandemic, many Belgians deprived of physical contact decided to adopt pets, only to discard again them once lockdown restrictions were lifted.
"People want to give up [their pets] but not adopt," he said. "Adoptions are down by 40% for us... With dogs, for example, the American Staffordshire Terrier is now adopted at a rate four times less than in normal times."
Paws for concern
During the interview, Sgualdino also explained how Belgium's high inflation rate – in addition to causing immense pain among the country's citizenry – has led to a steep rise in costs at animal shelters.
"All our fees have increased," he said. "Last year, we experienced an increase of between 20% and 25% in our expenses. We are obliged, too, to pay attention to and compare prices. For example, we used to use wood pellets for bedding but unfortunately, we were forced to find an alternative."
Despite being dismayed by the increase in pet abandonment, Sgualdino stressed that he profoundly empathised with the financial plight of many Belgian households. "People are losing their jobs, their homes... They are facing financial problems, which I can understand," he said.
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According to a recent study by Testaankoop, a Belgian consumer protection and analysis firm, 27% of Belgians are unable to save any money at all at the end of each month, while one in eight have recently turned to friends and family members in order to make ends meet.
In addition, roughly a third of Belgians claim that they are simply unable to absorb any further price increases, while 40% are currently dipping into their savings to pay the bills.
