When Pets Thrive but People Struggle

April 2, 2026
Categories - Articles

BY TRACY MCQUARRIE

Understanding the Changing World of Pet Care and Animal Welfare
Over the past few decades, the way we care for our pets has changed dramatically. Dogs and cats are no longer just animals who live in our gardens or guard our homes, they are family members. They sleep on our couches, travel with us, and hold a place in our hearts that is deeply personal. And because of this shift, the world of pet care has evolved in remarkable ways.

Veterinary medicine has advanced. Nutrition has improved. Behaviour science has taught us better ways to understand and train our dogs. We now recognise that animals have emotional needs, not just physical ones.

All this progress has helped our pets live longer, healthier and happier lives.

But there is another side to this growth. As the standards of pet care rise, so do the costs associated with owning a pet. For many families, keeping up with these expectations is becoming increasingly difficult.

The Growing Pressure on Animal Welfare

While pets are benefiting from advances in care, animal shelters are facing a different reality. Across South Africa, shelters are seeing increasing numbers of animals being surrendered and more often than not, the reason is not a lack of love but rather financial pressure.

Rising food prices, increasing veterinary costs, housing restrictions, job loss, and economic uncertainty are forcing families into heartbreaking decisions. Many people are surrendering animals they have loved for years simply because they can no longer afford to care for them. At the same time, shelters themselves are struggling with rising operational costs while demand for their services continues to grow.

When the Economy Stalls, Animal Welfare Feels It First

There is an uncomfortable truth we need to acknowledge. The pet care industry has grown rapidly, but the economy has not grown at the same pace for many households. This creates a widening gap between what animals need and what people can realistically afford.

Animal welfare organisations across the country are absorbing the consequences of this gap. Shelters are doing everything they can, but they cannot solve this problem alone.

A Future That Supports Both People and Pets

The future of animal welfare cannot rely solely on rescue. If we want to reduce the number of animals entering shelters, we must also focus on supporting the people who care for them.

This means thinking differently about how we approach animal welfare:

Supporting struggling pet owners before relinquishment becomes the only option

Educating communities about proper puppy development and long-term care

Creating more pet-friendly housing policies

Strengthening collaboration across the animal welfare sector

Sterlisation

Most importantly, we must recognise that animal welfare and human wellbeing are deeply connected. When families struggle, animals struggle too.

Moving Forward Together
At BarkingMad, we believe the future of animal welfare lies in collaboration, education, and support for the entire ecosystem of people and animals. Every dog and cat deserves the chance to live a long, healthy, and happy life. But to make that possible, we must build a world where the humans who love them are supported too.
Because when we protect the bond between people and their pets, we protect something incredibly powerful, a relationship built on trust, loyalty, and unconditional love.