IT isn't just humans who are suffering the brunt of the current economic downturn. The number of pets being abandoned has risen sharply over the last year.

During the boom years, prices for horses and ponies went skyward, for example.

The newly affluent wanted a share in a racehorse or perhaps a pony for their child.

But horses and ponies are expensive animals to keep. Many are now being found by animal welfare groups wandering hungry and uncared for in the wild.

According to the ISPCA (www.ispca.ie), the number of horses being abandoned has risen 100pc.

At Cats' Aid, (www.catsaid. org) volunteer Doreen Grant says there has been a huge increase in the number of domestic cats living with feral cats in wild colonies.

"They're often the thinnest. They're the newest arrivals and are the bottom of the heap when it comes to food. There's a strict pecking order in these colonies and domesticated cats aren't really able for it."

Dogs, too, are being abandoned. At Dogs In Distress, (www.dogsindistress.org) volunteer Gwen Dowling has noticed a jump in the number of calls from owners looking to find a new home for their pet.

Homeless

"There are lots of reasons why people are calling. They might be emigrating or down-sizing. I had a call today from someone who is now homeless," says Ms Dowling. "It's a terrible situation for anyone. We're not judgmental. We're only concerned with finding the animal a new home."

All animal welfare groups are keen to highlight the cost of owning a pet. Aside from the weekly food bill, there are yearly vaccinations, neutering costs, monthly flea treatments and kennelling or boarding fees during holidays.

Yearly insurance for a cat, which will cover vet fees for unforeseen events such as an illness or accident, is available for about €9 a month.

For a dog, the monthly cost is between €10 and €15, depending on size. This is a must for pet owners, since vet fees for emergency treatments can run into the thousands.

According to animal welfare groups, in these uncertain economic times people should consider the expense involved in looking after a pet before making the decision to take one on. For those with a much-loved pet who find themselves struggling financially, help is available.

It's difficult to cut food costs, since all animals need to be fed the correct amount of nutritional food for their species, breed and size. Luckily, the major pet-food manufacturers are aware that people have less money in their pockets. According to Ms Dowling, it's worth shopping around.

"There are lots of special offers and money-off vouchers available. I buy in bulk if I see a special offer. Pet food doesn't go off too quickly," she said.

Deals

The online pet supply store zooplus (www.zooplus.ie) frequently runs special deals and is worth checking. It also sells food in large-size packs, which is usually a cheaper way to buy.

Dry food is probably slightly cheaper than wet food. If a pet is used to wet food though, it's important to wean them from one to the other, rather than change their diet overnight.

Another expense which shouldn't be avoided is neutering or spaying. A new brood of puppies or kittens will stress any household budget and contribute further to the oversupply of pets in the country.

In Dublin, the Blue Cross provides low-cost neutering at its premises in Inchicore. This is by appointment only.

Outside of Dublin, the ISPCA and the Dogs Trust (www.dogstrust.ie) provide a similar service. Anyone in receipt of social welfare payments can avail of these services.

The Blue Cross also runs mobile animal clinics for owners on social welfare payments throughout the Dublin area.

According to June Schutz, of The Blue Cross, people who attend should expect to queue.

"The queues have doubled, if not tripled, in recent months," she said.

Details of where the mobile units will be are available on the Blue Cross website (www.bluecross.ie). Sadly, outside of Dublin no similar service is available. On the plus side, vet fees are usually cheaper outside the capital.

At the ISPCA, Conor Dowling admits that vet fees vary considerably throughout the country, even for standard treatments.

It may be worth phoning around for basic services such as vaccinations or neutering. Cat spaying can cost as much as €100 in the Dublin area and half that outside of the capital.

Unexpected vet bills for an uninsured pet are a nightmare for any owner, especially these days. It is not really feasible to shop around in this situation.

Most animal charities are stretched to the limit at the moment. Fundraising is difficult, since most of us have less money to give. That said, they are prepared to listen and sometimes offer advice to distressed pet owners unable to afford necessary vet fees.

"We've helped people come to payment arrangements with their vets in these situations," says Ms Dowling.

At Cats' Aid, 80-year old Doreen Grant is particularly sympathetic to elderly people. "For a lot of older people, a pet is the only company they have. It's hard for us to do it because we're always so pushed for money, but we have sometimes helped out with fees," she said.

All of the animal welfare groups advise pet owners to pick up the phone if they do run into trouble financially. Volunteers stress that they will not be judgmental and are prepared to lend a sympathetic ear. "We'll all always do what we can," said Ms Grant.

Irish Independent