Economic Strain Forces Nigerians to Abandon Their Beloved Pets

In Lagos, the rising cost of living is resulting in an alarming increase in pet abandonment, with owners like Preye Maxwell forced to relinquish their dogs due to financial pressures. Animal shelters report a spike in incoming animals as inflation and economic constraints take their toll on households.

In a heartbreaking trend sweeping through Nigeria, pet owners are increasingly finding themselves unable to care for their animals as the country's economy continues to decline. In Lagos, the bustling commercial center, many are surrendering their pets to shelters as skyrocketing inflation leaves them struggling to afford basic necessities.

Preye Maxwell is one such pet owner who recently left his two-year-old American Eskimo, Hanks, at the St Mark's Animal Rescue Foundation in Ajah. Overwhelmed with emotion, Maxwell confides to a local news outlet, “I can’t afford to feed him the way he should be fed.” Following his recent job loss, he feels that his ongoing search for employment has left him with little time for Hanks.

The situation reflects a broader epidemic; a significant wave of pet abandonment is occurring as economic pressures mount. With inflation escalating through the removal of a long-standing fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, the financial strain on average Nigerians has intensified. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the inflation rate hit a staggering 35% late last year. Although it has eased slightly to 24%, the burden of rising prices persists.

Dr. Mark Afua, a veterinarian and the head of the shelter accepting Hanks, notes a worrying trend: “About 10 years ago when we started this project, we really didn’t have people giving up their dogs because they were unable to feed them.” He now witnesses the arrival of 10 to 12 animals each month due to similar reasons. The rising costs of pet food and medical care have surged over 100%, largely due to dependency on imported goods when the local currency falters against the dollar.

Animal rights advocates are sounding the alarm over increasing cases of neglect and abandonment. Jackie Idimogu, the presiding officer of a local dog rescue community, reveals a disturbing shift in pet-owner attitudes. “Now they don’t even have that patience [to find new owners]. They simply tie the dog out on the road or let them lose,” she laments.

In contrast, some individuals are making personal sacrifices rather than parting with their beloved pets. Idimogu herself reports that more than half her income now goes toward looking after her four dogs, restricting her finances for personal expenses. Other pet owners, like Amartya Odanokende—who focuses on cats despite cultural stigmas—face similar challenges, spending substantial sums monthly on their animal care.

Iyke Elueze, another dedicated pet owner, is caught in a dilemma between his responsibilities to his family and his loyalty to his 10 dogs, who he fears could face dire consequences if surrendered. He is apprehensive that they may be sold for meat, a common practice in some regions of Nigeria.

As animal shelters reach full capacity, Dr. Afua finds himself in a precarious situation: “I still make room for the next,” he says, emphasizing his commitment to rapid rehabilitation and adoption of unwanted animals despite the overwhelming influx.

With more than 60 dogs at his rescue facility, Dr. Afua’s passion for animal welfare reflects the challenges faced by many as they navigate their own financial battles while caring for their pets. As economic conditions continue to challenge citizens across Nigeria, the fate of countless animals rests precariously in the balance, revealing a complex interplay of love, responsibility, and societal pressure.