Documentary backdrop image for Pet Owners in Need (2026)

202630 minPGdocumentary

Pet Owners in Need

202630 minPGdocumentary

Pet ownership faces challenges as rising veterinary and food costs strain budgets, leaving many owners in the UK and Germany struggling to care for their pets.

Genres

Channel: ARTE.tv Documentary

Pet Owners in Need

2026• 30 minPG

Synopsis

Pet ownership faces challenges as rising veterinary and food costs strain budgets, leaving many owners in the UK and Germany struggling to care for their pets.

Synopsis

Pet ownership in the UK and Germany faces significant challenges as rising veterinary and food costs strain the budgets of many families. This report highlights the emotional and financial struggles of pet owners who are increasingly unable to provide adequate care for their beloved companions. Through personal stories and expert insights, the film examines the broader implications of these economic pressures on pet welfare and the bond between humans and animals.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

A Dog's Life (2024)

A Dog's Life

Pugs, Chihuahuas, and Bulldogs are popular dog breeds that often suffer from serious health issues, creating emotional and financial burdens for their owners.

The Gangs That Steal Dogs (2026)

The Gangs That Steal Dogs

In the UK, a surge in dog thefts and illegal puppy imports has emerged, driven by skyrocketing prices and organized crime networks exploiting the demand.

The Gangs That Steal Dogs

The Dark Side of China's Pet Economy (2025)

The Dark Side of China's Pet Economy

In Chengdu, China's burgeoning pet economy reveals a disturbing reality of animal abuse, with pets shipped inhumane conditions and activists facing threats from abusers.

The Dark Side of China's Pet Economy

Profit vs. ethics: Saving livestock from the slaughterhouse (2021)

Profit vs. ethics: Saving livestock from the slaughterhouse

A cow with a disabled rear leg and a weak calf, both destined for slaughter, are rescued by animal rights activists in Germany.

Profit vs. ethics: Saving livestock from the slaughterhouse

Bailiffs Step In After Dog Owners’ Feud Turns Ugly (2026)

Bailiffs Step In After Dog Owners’ Feud Turns Ugly

In Shropshire and south Wales, bailiffs confront escalating conflicts between dog owners over unpaid vet bills while managing evictions in west London.

Bailiffs Step In After Dog Owners’ Feud Turns Ugly

Rich and poor - The growing wealth gap in Germany (2023)

Rich and poor - The growing wealth gap in Germany

Since 1993, the wealth of the richest 50% of Germans has doubled, while the bottom 50% has seen little to no change in their financial situation.

Rich and poor - The growing wealth gap in Germany

Inside Britain's Dog Ban: XL Bully Crisis (2024)

Inside Britain's Dog Ban: XL Bully Crisis

Owners of XL bully dogs fight against a government ban after tragic incidents in the UK.

Inside Britain's Dog Ban: XL Bully Crisis

Stealing pet dogs for meat in Vietnam (2017)

Stealing pet dogs for meat in Vietnam

In Vietnam, thieves steal pet dogs for the lucrative dog meat trade, highlighting the cruelty involved in this controversial practice.

Stealing pet dogs for meat in Vietnam

Workers but Poor: Struggling to make ends meet (2023)

Workers but Poor: Struggling to make ends meet

Nine families in the UK struggle to make ends meet despite working, with one family living in tents after losing a full-time job.

Workers but Poor: Struggling to make ends meet

Making Housing Affordable (2023)

Making Housing Affordable

High housing costs and mortgage interest rates in Germany prompt local governments and organizations to explore innovative strategies for affordable housing solutions.

Making Housing Affordable

Explore Pet Owners in Need

Browse more like this

A Dog's Life (2024)

A Dog's Life

Pugs, Chihuahuas, and Bulldogs are popular dog breeds that often suffer from serious health issues, creating emotional and financial burdens for their owners.

No digital watch option in your country

The Dark Side of China's Pet Economy (2025)

The Dark Side of China's Pet Economy

In Chengdu, China's burgeoning pet economy reveals a disturbing reality of animal abuse, with pets shipped inhumane conditions and activists facing threats from abusers.

The Dark Side of China's Pet Economy

No digital watch option in your country

Bailiffs Step In After Dog Owners’ Feud Turns Ugly (2026)

Bailiffs Step In After Dog Owners’ Feud Turns Ugly

In Shropshire and south Wales, bailiffs confront escalating conflicts between dog owners over unpaid vet bills while managing evictions in west London.

Bailiffs Step In After Dog Owners’ Feud Turns Ugly

No digital watch option in your country

Inside Britain's Dog Ban: XL Bully Crisis (2024)

Inside Britain's Dog Ban: XL Bully Crisis

Owners of XL bully dogs fight against a government ban after tragic incidents in the UK.

Inside Britain's Dog Ban: XL Bully Crisis

No digital watch option in your country

Workers but Poor: Struggling to make ends meet (2023)

Workers but Poor: Struggling to make ends meet

Nine families in the UK struggle to make ends meet despite working, with one family living in tents after losing a full-time job.

Workers but Poor: Struggling to make ends meet

No digital watch option in your country

Making Housing Affordable (2023)

Making Housing Affordable

High housing costs and mortgage interest rates in Germany prompt local governments and organizations to explore innovative strategies for affordable housing solutions.

Making Housing Affordable

No digital watch option in your country

Pets (2025)

Pets

2025•1h19m•★6.8TMDB

Over 20 pet owners and rescuers share their stories of companionship with animals like dogs, cats, pigs, and birds of prey from around the world.

Us, Our Pets and the War (2024)

Us, Our Pets and the War

2024•1h19m•★9.0TMDB

Thousands of animals, including cats, dogs, bears, and even lions, were rescued by citizens during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Us, Our Pets and the War

One Nation Under Dog (2020)

One Nation Under Dog

2020•1h13m•★5.3TMDB

Eight case studies reveal the challenges of dog ownership and the fate of millions of unwanted shelter dogs in the United States.

One Nation Under Dog

Animals (2019)

Animals

2019•1h13m•★6.0TMDB

Humorous and unsettling behaviors in human-animal relationships are explored in a series of vignettes that question emotional connections with pets.

Pet Fooled (2016)

Pet Fooled

2016•1h10m•★7.0TMDB

Uncovering the hidden truths of the pet food industry.

Sheltered (2020)

Sheltered

2020•1h14m•★6.0TMDB

At a large animal shelter in the Netherlands, caregivers face the challenges of finding homes for abandoned animals while forming deep bonds with them.

A Time for Dogs and Cats (2020)

A Time for Dogs and Cats

2020•1h24m•★3.0TMDB

In 2017, a film crew visits Baeksa Village in Seoul, where many pet owners have abandoned their cats and dogs in empty houses marked for redevelopment.

A Time for Dogs and Cats

Saving the British Bulldog (2018)

Saving the British Bulldog

2018•58m•★10.0TMDB

Over 80% of British bulldogs suffer from genetic disorders, prompting Catherine Tate to investigate the breed's health issues and the role of breeders and the Kennel Club.

Saving the British Bulldog

Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint (1992)

Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint

1992•23m•★6.9TMDB

A snake devours a rabbit in a graphic scene that critiques the economic struggles of Flint, Michigan, and the choices residents face regarding animal consumption.

Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint

Dog Lover (2010)

Dog Lover

2010•1h26m•★3.0TMDB

Bosnia and Herzegovina's streets reveal the suffering of abandoned dogs, highlighting cases of mistreatment and advocating for action against animal cruelty.

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.

License it with us →