Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the rising cost of living on the number of family pets being taken to pet refuges.

We appreciate the important work that responsible animal rescue and rehoming organisations do, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure that animals taken into the care of these organisations are offered the opportunity of a forever home.

HM Government is actively considering the impact of rising living costs on all aspects of people’s lives. We are engaging with animal welfare organisations on an ongoing basis to understand issues and trends affecting the sector, including the rising cost of living, and we welcome the support the sector is providing people during these times.