MORE pets are becoming victims of the credit crunch and being left at animal sanctuaries.

In the first three months of this year, 364 unwanted pets were given over to the Blue Cross’s two sanctuaries in Oxfordshire — a rise of almsot 30 per cent on the previous year.

Of those, only 17 owners said it was because they could no longer afford them. But Rowena Grew, deputy manager at the Burford site, believed the surge was down to the recession – although people were too embarrassed to admit it.

She said: “We’ve got a huge waiting list for all species, and the majority we are taking in are due to the credit crunch. We can’t keep up with demand.

“About six months ago we were hearing about the credit crunch and people not being able to feed their pets and we were slightly sceptical. But now you can see it’s affecting the average person and people are losing their jobs.

“It’s the general maintenance costs that are the problem. People often underestimate the cost of general veterinary care and food for animals.”

Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary has also seen an increase and is blaming the recession.

Between January 2008 and April 2009 the sanctuary in Stadhampton took in 653 animals — an increase of about 100 on the previous 15 months — and re-homed 625 of them.

Of those, 22 owners admitted not being able to afford their pets and 73 said they were moving to a home unsuitable for pets, which could include downsizing or rented accommodation.

Manager Ron Heath said: “People tell us they don’t want them anymore, but the truth is they can’t afford to keep them.

“The credit crunch has hit the animals. We feel it with our own feed and vet bills — it costs £11,500 a week to keep us open — so I can imagine what people outside are going through.

“For instance, this week a lady who took a cat from us a couple of years ago had to bring it back because she could no longer afford it.”

As well as the increase in admissions, Blue Cross’s income is dropping.

Mrs Grew said: “Donations are falling and we are struggling to collect money from our external collection boxes around the county. Figures are down so it is putting a strain on us, especially our veterinary expenses.”

At Burford, 20 staff look after 27 dogs, 32 cats, two degus rodents, four gerbils, seven hamsters, 10 rabbits and seven rats.

Mrs Grew added: “It’s obviously very upsetting for anybody to bring an animal in. But to see someone upset, although it’s heartbreaking for them, at least we know it has been well cared for.”

l April is National Pet Month and the Blue Cross is hosting a range of family activities over Easter. Its centres are open every day except Thursday between 11am and 4pm.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk