Issabell says her dogs are her emotional support and ‘lifeline’
A mum-of-two has revealed how spiralling pet costs have left her battling to stay afloat financially. The expense of specialised dog food and veterinary care has forced her to postpone other bills and leave the heating switched off in the winter.
Issabell Livesey, from Cambridgeshire, receives £1,542 monthly in Universal Credit and £180 from Child Benefit. She pays £1,000 on her rent and has between £150 and £200 in water and energy bills, meaning she has between £522 and £572 to cover her other essentials. She allocates £150 each month to her two presa canarios, a large dog breed, and these expenses have surged dramatically in recent months. She explained: “I prioritise my dogs’ care above all else. Between insurance, specialist food, flea and worm treatments, I’d say a significant chunk of my monthly allowance goes on them. The specialist food for Koubla and Xena has risen by nearly 20 percent over the past year, and emergency vet visits can cost over £150 in one go, which is almost a quarter of my monthly income.
“My pet bills are around £150 a month, which is a significant part of my Universal Credit, but they are family.” Issabell has two children, Mika, 3, and Arvi, 5, and the household has been forced to maintain strict financial controls as their living expenses have climbed. The mum said: “As a parent of two with two big dogs, my budget is a jigsaw puzzle.
“Over the last few years, our food and energy bills have jumped by nearly 25 percent, meaning i have become an expert at ‘yellow sticker’ shopping and social tariffs just to make sure the kids and the dogs don’t feel the pinch.” Those receiving benefits like Universal Credit may wan to explore social tariffs.
These discounted mobile and broadband deals are available to people on low incomes or claiming certain benefits. Details of available tariffs can be found on the Ofcom website. Issabell said she’s had to make significant sacrifices to care for her two dogs. She explained: “I often delay paying utility bills, walk instead of using public transport, and keep the heating off during winter.”
“It’s exhausting, but I can’t compromise on my dogs’ health – they are my emotional support and my lifeline.” When asked whether she’d ever contemplate rehoming her pets to reduce her outgoings, the mother was adamant: “No, absolutely not. Koubla and Xena are part of my family.
“Rehoming them would be devastating for all of us emotionally. I’d rather make sacrifices in my own life than see them suffer.” She added: “My dogs are part of my family. They protect us and our home.”
Research by lender Creditspring revealed that 59 percent of pet owners have experienced rising costs over the past year. This includes a 45 percent increase in routine veterinary expenses, whilst emergency treatment costs have climbed by a third. Fewer than three in 10 indicated they would have sufficient savings to hand to meet an unexpected £500 expense.
Tamsin Powell, consumer finance expert at Creditspring, commented: “Pets are part of the family and most owners will do whatever they can to keep them healthy. But when food, insurance and routine care are all rising at once – and an unexpected vet bill can run into the hundreds – it doesn’t take much for a household budget to tip into stress.
“Our research shows many pet owners would have to borrow, use a payment plan, or cut back elsewhere to cover a £500 treatment cost. Borrowing isn’t anyone’s first choice, but these numbers show how quickly a surprise cost becomes a crisis when people don’t have a buffer.”
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