A La Trobe University study published in Animals found that over 9,000 dogs and cats are given to Australian shelters annually due to owners' inability to keep or care for them.

The study analysed data from five shelters across four states, involving 46,820 animals, and highlighted housing insecurity as the leading cause of relinquishment across socioeconomic groups.

Financial issues were more common among lower-income owners, while health concerns affected higher-income groups more.

Clinton Maynard speaks with Sonya McDowall, La Trobe University PhD candidate and lead of a study on pet relinquishment, who emphasises the need to understand why people struggle to keep their pets.

She highlights that historically, human and animal welfare sectors have operated separately, without integrated policies or services that benefit both animals and their owners.

This, she suggests, could help address the financial and ethical issues caused by high numbers of pets in shelters.