Marcelle Meredith, executive director of the The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - NSPCA.

First Thing is First |Having a dog isn’t just a time commitment — it’s also a financial one. More dogs are being handed over to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) by desperate owners who say the rising cost of living means they can no longer afford to feed their pets. Young dogs were most at risk of being handed over to the SPCA, she said. In some cases, owners took their dogs to the SPCA after finding them "too much to cope with". Responsibilities that include feeding, grooming and providing shelter for your pup, can add up fast, especially if your pet ends up with health issues.   Guest: Marcelle Meredith, executive director of the The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - NSPCA.