Preye Maxwell, a laid-off strategist, gave up his dog, Hanks. “I can’t afford to feed him the way he should be fed,” he told the BBC.
Nigeria’s economic crisis has forced many citizens to abandon their pets as inflation and job losses deepen.
At St Mark’s Animal Rescue Foundation in Lagos, founder Dr Mark Afua said, “Right now, we have 10, 12 animals being dropped in a month.”
Preye Maxwell, a laid-off strategist, gave up his dog, Hanks. “I can’t afford to feed him the way he should be fed,” he told the BBC.
Inflation surged to 35% by late 2024 after President Tinubu removed fuel subsidies. Though now at 24%, high costs persist. Imported pet supplies have doubled in price.
Animal advocate Jackie Idimogu added, “They just unleash [dogs] on the road.” Despite spending N250,000 monthly, she won’t abandon her pets. “My dogs are my babies.”
Cat owner Amartya Odanokende spends over N260,000 monthly. “The skyrocketing maintenance cost” worries him.
Dr Afua said the shelter now houses 60 dogs. “I don’t have the heart to turn an animal away,” he said.