A pet charity says it is seeing a “concerning rise” in owners struggling to care for their animals as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect households.  

Woodgreen Pets Charity, which is based in Godmanchester, has revealed a 130 per cent increase in requests to hand pets into its care.  

There has also been an increase of 253 per cent of cases state financial reasons as to why they need to give up their animals.  

Its centre is now at capacity and has hundreds of pets on its waiting lists – and yet is still committed to helping owners who contact them.  

The Hunts Post: Bella's was suffering complications after her pregnancy - and her previous owners were unable to afford the treatment she needed. Bella's was suffering complications after her pregnancy - and her previous owners were unable to afford the treatment she needed. (Image: Woodgreen Pets Charity)

Bella and her family of kittens are among their feline cases at the moment.  

She was experiencing complications after recently giving birth and her owners were quoted £1,200 for investigative treatment.  

As they were unable to afford the cost, they signed Bella and her kittens over to the vet who contacted Woodgreen.  

She required surgery to remove a retained placenta and is being cared for by one of the charity’s maternity fosterers until she is ready to be rehomed.  

The Hunts Post: Blizzard is one of Bella's kittens.Blizzard is one of Bella's kittens. (Image: Woodgreen Pets Charity)

Her kittens - named Storm, Gale, Gusty, Blizzard, and Flurry - will also be matched with loving new owners when they're old enough.    

The cost of pet care, changing lifestyle circumstances and their pets’ behaviour are among the reasons why owners are handing their animals over.    

The Hunts Post: Flurry and the rest of Bella's litter will be rehomed when they're old enough.Flurry and the rest of Bella's litter will be rehomed when they're old enough. (Image: Woodgreen Pets Charity)

Chris Bennett, community support manager at Woodgreen, said: “Making the decision to give up a pet is an incredibly emotional and often a distressing choice for an owner to make, even when it is the best option considering their circumstances.   

“If anyone is starting to notice a problem, we encourage them to get in touch as soon as possible as things are often easier to fix when help is sought earlier.   

“Woodgreen isn’t just here to help when you need to rehome a pet – we're here to help you keep pets too. But, if giving up a pet is the right decision, we’re here for that too.”

The Hunts Post: Gusty was also handed over to Woodgreen at the same time as mother Bella and the rest of the litter. Gusty was also handed over to Woodgreen at the same time as mother Bella and the rest of the litter. (Image: Woodgreen Pets Charity)

The Hunts Post: Storm, another of Bella's litter, will also be looking for a new home with the rest of the litter.Storm, another of Bella's litter, will also be looking for a new home with the rest of the litter. (Image: Woodgreen Pets Charity)

The Hunts Post: Gale, another of Bella's kittens, is also in the care of Woodgreen Pets CharityGale, another of Bella's kittens, is also in the care of Woodgreen Pets Charity (Image: Woodgreen Pets Charity)