More people are giving up their pets due to the rise in the cost of living, according to the local branch of the RSPCA.

The animal centre on Holgate Street has said the number of people contacting them to re-home their animals due to being unable to afford to keep them is increasing.   

Louise Ayton, a senior animal care assistant at RSPCA Bury and Oldham, says they receive at least one phone call a day as people deal with the fallout of the cost of living crisis.

Reasons behind people calling the centre include them having to move into smaller homes, entering rented accommodation that does not accept pets and moving in with other family members. 

The centre has also heard from those who are unable to afford the costs that come with owning a pet, including food and veterinary care.

Louise said: “We have taken a couple of cats recently because the owners couldn’t afford their treatment. They had to sign them over to us so they could have the treatment needed.” 

The centre currently looks after between 20 and 30 cats and there is a waiting list, meaning a new cat can only be taken in once a pen becomes available.  

Louise added: “We very rarely have pens empty for more than a day or two.”  

The centre is hosting a Christmas pet photoshoot fundraiser later this year to help pay for the continued care of their animals.   

The photoshoot is planned for November and people can bring their dogs to be photographed among Christmas decorations and wearing Christmas outfits. 

Louise said: “We’re going to have Christmas props, little Christmas bandanas they can wear, and boxes wrapped up to look like Christmas presents for the photos.” 

The money raised at the event will go directly back into the centre to provide care for the animals. 

Louise continued: “These events are vital to the work we do here because we are not funded by the national RSCPA. We do all our own fundraising to keep the centre going throughout the year.” 

More details on how to attend the fundraising event can be found online here.