Call You and Yours: Can you afford to keep a pet?
More than half of all households in the UK have a pet. However, the costs involved with keeping a pet is growing. Are you asking yourself if you can afford a pet?
We pride ourselves on as being a nation of animal lovers. More than half of all households in the UK have a pet. Many see their pet as part of the family, and research has shown that they have a positive impact on peoples mental and physical health.
However the costs to keep a pet have grown a lot it recent years – vets bills, food and insurance have all risen in price.
A dog costs over Β£15,000 over its lifetime and a cat around Β£11,000. Those figures don't include vet fees.
The Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals has seen an increase in people wanting to give up their pets, with almost half citing financial pressures as the main reason. It is a similar story in England and Wales.
So, can you afford to keep a pet?
Email us at youandyours@bbc.co.uk, share your stories, and leave a telephone number where we can contact you.
From 11am on Tuesday you can call us on 03700 100 444.
Presenter: Winifred Robinson
Producer: Dave James