NAIROBI, KENYA – A sharp rise in animal abandonments across the United Kingdom is casting a spotlight on similar, though less documented, struggles facing pet owners and animal welfare organisations in Kenya. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the UK's largest animal welfare charity, reported on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, that pet abandonments in England and Wales surged by nearly 25% in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking a five-year high. This crisis, driven by the escalating cost of living, resonates with the challenges confronting Kenyan households and the organisations striving to protect companion animals.

According to the RSPCA, 24,270 incidents of animal abandonment were recorded by its emergency line through October 2025, a significant increase from 19,727 during the same period in 2024. RSPCA Superintendent Simon Osborne described the situation as a "dramatic and heartbreaking rise" and an "epidemic of animal abandonment and neglect." The primary cause cited is the financial strain on households, with owners finding it increasingly difficult to afford pet food and veterinary bills. A recent survey by the charity found that 74% of UK pet owners say it is more expensive to care for their animals than a year ago, with over half (52%) worried about covering vet bills.

The Kenyan Context: A Silent Crisis

While Kenya lacks centralised, nationwide statistics on pet abandonment, local animal welfare organisations report a persistent and overwhelming influx of stray, neglected, and abandoned animals. The Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA), the country's leading animal welfare charity, faces a continuous crisis with its shelters often filled to capacity. The organisation, which has been in operation for over a century, runs shelters in Nairobi, Naivasha, and Mombasa and responds to over 6,000 calls annually, including cases of cruelty and abandonment.

Unlike the UK, where a network of well-funded charities exists, the KSPCA and smaller organisations operate with no government funding, relying entirely on donations and volunteers. The shelters in Nairobi house, on average, 150 dogs and 100 cats at any given time, with thousands of animals passing through their doors each year. The challenges are compounded by what academics from the University of Nairobi describe as inadequate legal provisions and limited capacity to monitor and minimise cruelty to animals in Kenya.

Economic Pressures and Shifting Culture

The economic parallels between the UK and Kenya are significant. Kenya has experienced high inflation since 2022, peaking at 9.6% in October of that year, with the cost of food and fuel being major drivers. This sustained pressure on household incomes directly impacts the ability of families to care for pets. The cost of basic veterinary services, such as a consultation (Sh1,000–Sh3,000) and a full set of vaccines (approx. Sh3,500 for a dog), can be prohibitive for many. Pet food is also a significant expense, with an 11-pound bag of organic food costing between Sh2,200 and Sh3,000.

This economic strain intersects with a cultural shift in pet ownership. Particularly in urban centres like Nairobi, more Kenyans are viewing pets as companions and family members, a change from purely functional roles like security. This evolving bond has led to a growing demand for pet care services, but also places owners in a difficult position when finances become tight. The KSPCA notes that while the pandemic saw a surge in adoptions, the subsequent economic downturn has put many of these new pet owners in precarious situations.

The problem is exacerbated by a lack of widespread spaying and neutering, leading to uncontrolled breeding and a continuous cycle of unwanted animals. The KSPCA advocates for sterilization as the most humane method of population control and runs campaigns in low-income areas when funds permit. However, without sustained funding and a national strategy, the number of street animals—estimated in the tens of thousands in Nairobi alone—continues to grow, overwhelming the limited resources of shelters.

As the UK grapples with its cost-of-living-driven abandonment crisis, the situation in Kenya serves as a critical reminder of the universal challenges in animal welfare. For Kenyan organisations like the KSPCA, the fight to protect companion animals is a daily struggle against economic hardship, limited resources, and the urgent need for greater public awareness and support.