25th Mar 2009 (The Standard post ) : Pets pay the price
2010-3-7http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=80009&sid=23221957&con_type=1&d_str=20090325
Patsy Moy
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Rising food prices and dwindling donations are leading to more strays being left on the streets.
The cash crunch is making volunteers and animal lovers think twice about taking in animals and those lucky enough to be given hope face reduced diets.
There are fears the situation may worsen next month when popular supplier Hills hikes its cat and dog food prices by 10 to 15 percent. Another brand, Pro Plan, is slashing the contents of its pet food by 13 percent, but pegging prices. Iams and Eukanuba have also raised prices by at least 10 percent.
Most stray cats are underweight and malnourished, Hong Kong Cat Refuge volunteer Jane Wong Suet-ching, said.
Undoubtedly, the branded products are more reliable and nutritious, but we can no longer afford them.
Meanwhile, the Society for Abandoned Animals, which is looking after 180 dogs and 70 cats, has seen a 15 percent drop in donations since January.
The rise in food costs has forced the association to downsize from 25 staff to 20 since the end of last year.
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