As economic pressures and climate change continue to affect communities around the world, two recent stories highlight the vulnerability of beloved pets—from Swanage to Sivas.
In Swanage, Dorset, a new pet food bank has been launched alongside the existing Swanage Food Bank at the United Reformed Church. Driven by soaring living costs, the initiative—spearheaded by Dorset Dogs—aims to ensure that pets aren’t surrendered simply because owners can no longer afford to feed them. Donations are accepted at Salt gift shop and local supermarkets, with the growing demand reflecting the emotional importance of pets in people’s lives. Ambassador Nicky Merlin, alongside her King Charles spaniel, Merlin, emphasizes the role pets play in providing emotional support, particularly during hard times.
Meanwhile, in Sivas, Türkiye, Kangal dogs—prized for their strength and loyalty—are facing an entirely different struggle: climate-induced depression. Expert breeder Hüseyin Yıldız warns that abrupt and extreme shifts between hot and cold weather are destabilizing these cold-adapted dogs, leading to health issues, behavioral changes, and even psychological trauma. “We no longer experience the spring months,” Yıldız says, lamenting the rapid loss of traditional seasons. Kangals, he explains, thrive in steady cold but become depressed and ill when forced to adapt to sudden warmth.
Together, these stories reflect a growing reality: whether due to financial hardship or environmental disruption, pets are increasingly caught in human-driven crises. And just as communities rally to keep food in their bowls, experts caution that supporting their broader well-being—from nutrition to climate resilience—will require even greater collective care.
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