Nigerians give up their pets because of the cost of life

Preye Maxwell looks upset when he leaves a favorite dog in an animal shelter in Lagos, a commercial center of Nigeria.

Having lost tears, he says, “I can’t afford to take care of it. I can’t afford to feed it the way it needs to be fed.”

His two-year-old American Eskimos barks when his owner turns his back and leaves the Saint Marco Rescue Fund in the suburb of Adza Lagos.

Dr. Mark AFEA, vet and chairman of the rescue center, takes Hanks and puts it in a large metal cage – one of many in a one -story building designed for dogs, cats, snakes and other animals.

Hanks is spinning in his cage – and Dr. Afga tries to calm the problematic fluffy dog.

D -Maxwell, Internet medium -strateg, was recently made over. His hunting for work means that he is never at home, and therefore feels unable to care for Hanks.

“I’m trying to get everything I need to survive. I don’t even have time (care for Hanc) because I’m always looking for a job,” he said BBC.

The 33-year-old decision was difficult to make, but many pets owners make a living in Nigeria.

The most popular Nation of Africa has suffered from high inflation since President Ball Tinubo came to power two years ago and removed a long -term fuel subsidy.

In December 2024, the inflation rate increased from 22% in May 2023 to 35%, which was a 28-year maximum, reports the National Statistics Bureau (NBS.)

Inflation has since decreased to 24%, but it means that prices still continue to rise, just not as fast as before.

The economic crisis meant that some companies had to be reduced to keep afloat before the increase in operational costs, pushing young people like Mr. Maxwell to the already rich job market.

Animal and animal rights activists say they see an unprecedented number of abandoned animals as the cost of pet spirals from control.

Prices for pets for pets and veterinary assistance jump over 100%like some things, especially medicines, imported – and local currency has fallen into the dollar.

“About 10 years ago, when we started this project, we really didn’t have the people who gave up dogs because they couldn’t feed the dogs,” BBC said.

“Now we have 10, 12 animals for the month.”

Some, like Mr. Maxwell, pass their pets to the adoption asylum, while others just give up their animals.

Jackie Idimoga’s animal cruelty company, which is my dog’s president and I, a community of dog lovers in Lagos, which often helps to remake pets, says she has noticed changes.

“Now they do not even have patience (to find new owners). They just tie the dog to the position, or they just untie it on the road,” she said the BBC.

The 32-year-old guy says more than 50% of his income as a furniture and interior designer now continues to look after four dogs.

“I spend about 250,000 nara ($ 158; £ 117) every month on pets,” she says, adding that it includes anyone to walk dogs and care for them when it wasn’t near.

But Ms Idymoga says he cannot bear it to give up on them.

“Like the only lady, I do not yet have my own children. My dogs – my children. I don’t see the difference between a dog and a human mom. I don’t think I have to give up any of my children for any reason.”

Instead, she decided to tailor her lifestyle – less luxury for herself, like jewelry, expensive hairstyles and spa -vests and less treats for her pets, such as chicken, yogurt treats and car rides.

“I used to be screaming, but now I had to reduce my dogs.”

The same goes the same for Artanokend, which is named “Jason Kot -hai” on social media, where he likes to give his love for his cat -niggians who often consider cats with a witchcraft.

He spends about $ 160 a month for five large cats and some kittens, as well as $ 7 for 10 kg of cat debris. Ever since he received his Prussian cats in 2020, he says that what is doing is 100%.

Such “rapid maintenance costs” are caused by care, and it is worried about the debt.

The Lagos Iyke Elueze Sales Chapter is also fighting to care for 10 dogs.

“There is a certain brand of food I used. It was only about 30,000 Nara. The same brand food brand is 165,000 naira,” he said BBC.

He attributes to his first dog heenx, rescuing his life at a time when he fought with depression – nevertheless, he would like to get rid of some of his animals because he needs priorities to the little ones.

But the 36-year-old is afraid that his dogs can eventually eat, as much as they are considered a delicacy in some parts of Southern Nigeria.

Chef — Celebility and Guinness Record switch Hilda Baci One day, she was subjected to social media after she confessed that she made a thematic dog menu.

“I am very careful with those who take my dogs. I do not want my dogs to be in pots of any other person,” said the father of two.

Mistura Ibrahim, a young artist -a tattoo in Lagos, who made her mission to help the cat after rescuing the two who were going to be abandoned, depressed in the situation and it is difficult to find new homes for others that she continues to save.

“They call me from the people I gave cats in the past and they say they really can’t afford to keep cats.”

She no longer feeds her cats that canned, deciding to give them food from her own plate.

Her advice is to take the well -being for pets seriously: “It’s just how to have a baby. If you can’t afford a baby, you do not bring your baby to the world.”

For Dr. Afga, who uses profits from his veterinary practice to finance his shelter, it becomes harder to place unwanted animals.

“We try to help animals get to the houses quickly, but I’m attentive (o) the houses that they go so that they do not return. And some animals will never find houses out of previous abuse.”

With the animal rescue fund, Saint -Mark, who cares for more than 60 dogs – is double his power – if he turned the animal?

“I don’t have a heart. When I talk, I have dogs and cats. I have in the office and house full – and I still take a place for the next.”