The increasing economic vulnerability in Sweden also affects our dogs. Now the non-profit organization Hundstallet is raising the alarm that more and more dogs are being abandoned or surrendered because the owners cannot afford to keep them.
– After all, it’s people who love their dog, says Frida Larsson, operations manager at Hundstallet in Alingsås.
In one year, the number of dogs placed at the organization’s three facilities in Sweden has increased from just under 600 to just over 800. This is partly about dogs that are taken care of by various authorities, for example because they were in bad shape in their previous home. But also about private individuals being forced to hand in their dogs because they can no longer afford it financially.
– It could be that people contact us that they have problems, says Frida Larsson. They may have been to the vet with their dog and found out it needs surgery. And they can’t afford it.
Difficult to go to the vet
The risk of dogs also getting hurt when more and more people are having a tough time financially was also one of the topics at this weekend’s big fair in Gothenburg, My Dog. There, many visitors testified about the rising costs:
– Everything is getting more expensive, says dog owner Annika Hammar. Dog accessories, dog food and even insurance will be more expensive.
– It hurts the wallet. I notice that not as many people can afford to have a dog anymore, says Isabelle Börjesson. Many older people who have found it more difficult to take care of the dogs, go to the vet and so on.
At Hundstallet, it is feared that the problem will increase.
– It’s sad, but that’s how it looks right now. But we will try to help as many as we can.