A Southern Highlands vet has spoken about the impact of the cost of living crisis to people's ability to pay for their pet's care.
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Recent research by Pet Insurance Australia found mounting financial pressures forced over 50 percent of pet owners adjust their approach to their pet's wellbeing.
This is due to economic constraints, and they say raise serious concerns about the health and welfare of Australian pet companions.
"The results of the latest survey underscore the profound impact of financial strain on pet healthcare decisions nationwide," Pet Insurance Australia spokesperson Nadia Crighton said.
The study found that 21.5 percent of pet guardians have scaled back on regular check-ups and preventive care appointments.
Additionally, nearly 13 percent are forgoing essential treatments for fleas, ticks, and worms.
"This trend is particularly worrisome given the extended tick season observed recently, which refers to a longer period of the year when ticks are active and can cause health issues in pets," Ms Crighton said.
"This could lead to a surge in tick-related illnesses, posing significant challenges for veterinary practices nationwide."
Moss Vale Veterinary Hospital doctor James Blackshaw has been a vet for over 20 years and says that across his career he has seen many periods of ups and downs.
"I would say that in my career I think we are a bit more of a disposable income business than we used to be," Dr Blackshaw said.
"When I first started we would see dogs mostly that would need annual prevention like heartworm and things like vaccinations - or when they were crook, and that would be usually non-negotiable. If the dog was crook they would see you.
"Yes people often had financial constraints depending on where you worked and the socio-economic area etc but generally it was considered a recession-proof industry."
However, the industry has now moved more toward preventative health, according to Dr Blackshaw including dentistry and things like that, which means that when money is tight people are pulling back.
"All I would say is that our business is quieter certainly than usual at this time of year and I think people are - even good clients - will question the bill a bit and want to discuss about whether or not something is really necessary," Dr Blackshaw said.
He's grateful not to have seen what the shelters are seeing, which is people surrendering animals they can no longer afford to keep.
However, Dr Blackshaw is aware that this is happening at local shelters across the region.
"Sadly a lot of unscrupulous people got involved in breeding during the covid-19 pandemic and saw it as a never-ending meal ticket, and that's just hit the wall," he said.
"A lot of professional breeders have pulled back because the demand is just not there, and that would be a definite effect of the economic crisis.
"People aren't completely emotional and stupid, if things are tight and they're struggling to pay rent and they've got kids, why would they buy a dog?
"But we're not seeing that nasty side of it, people wanting to put an old dog down because they simply can't afford to keep it anymore," Dr Blackshaw said.