Scottish Debtors are Misinformed About Their Rights When They Have Pets
by Individuals with debt in Scotland are more informed about their rights if they smoke than if they have a pet, new research has shown.
Individuals with debt in Scotland are more informed about their rights if they smoke than if they have a pet, new research has shown.
Trustdeedscotland.net has uncovered evidence that there is a minority of Scottish pet owners who are in debt that do not know they are allowed pet insurance as an acceptable expenditure.
A spokesman for TrustDeedScotland.net wrote “It makes sense that those in financial difficulties should have pet insurance as there would be an uncomfortable situation should there be an issue with the pets health. Vet fees are not cheap and unless you are in receipt of benefits, there are no services available from charities such as the PDSA. “
“We recently helped an individual who had been told by a debt collection agency that he would have his pets sold off to pay his debt. Another high street lender had told the same individual that pet insurance was not accepted for those in financial difficulties, and perhaps more alarmingly he had also been informed that he would have to give his dogs away as the cost of feeding them would result in a longer payment time for the agency.”
“While agencies or agents who use tactics like these are thankfully few and far between but it only adds to the uncertainty of those who have pets and are worried about how having a pet may affect their situation. Unfortunately, the end result is that fewer people then seek help to deal with their debt and end up avoiding creditors.”
The RSPCA have in the past indicated concerns that those with financial difficulties were more inclined to abandon pets.
Vanessa Eden, who is based at the RSPCA rescue centre in Fareham, Hampshire, commented: “It’s sad that current economic problems are having a knock-on effect on the animals.”
“We have had more people bringing in their pets because they can no longer afford to pay their energy bills, let alone vet bills or pet food. When faced with a rising cost of living, pets seem like an easy way to cut back. “Unfortunately, for some people, non essential spending includes spending on their family pet, with animal charities reporting that they have seen an increase in abandoned animals.”
If you are struggling with debt, own a pet and live in Scotland you can call TrustDeedScotland.net for free Scottish debt advice. Trust deeds can help people with debts over £10,000.
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