RSPCA Danaher Animal Home has taken in a record number of animals in one month, a staggering 140.
The Essex-based animal home said August was a record-breaking month for all the wrong reasons, as they took in 43 dogs, 41 cats, 16 rabbits, and 40 small furries.
The high number is believed to be a result of the current animal welfare and cost of living crisis – as more and more people give up their pets or abandon them and sadly more animals are removed as result of cruelty or neglect.
Centre staff are feeling overwhelmed by the numbers and on top of this are receiving four to five calls a day from pet owners wanting to give up their animals due to changes in circumstances.
It is an increased strain on the centre, which costs around £70,000 a month to run.
Among the new animals that have come into the centre is little Cola, who was just 12 weeks old when she was found as a stray on the A120 – she had almost no fur on her which was as a result of a severe skin allergy. Thankfully she is now on the road to recovery and is currently being looked after by a member of staff who is fostering the little Chihuahua.
Craig Horsler, animal welfare supervisor at the Wethersfield centre, said: “It’s shocking to think we have taken in so many animals in just a month and shows how dire the situation is for animals at the moment.
“While we have had large numbers come in at the centre before – this is usually a result of them being as part of a court case – this is different though – these animals have come in from the RSPCA inspectorate, or people giving them up, our contracts with other RSPCA charities, the dog warden and some are RSPCA animals who have been waiting in private boarding.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult month for us as we want to help all the animals we can – but we only have a certain number of spaces and we are full – so we still have a waiting list of people asking us to take on their animals.
“Some people who call us are desperate and it does feel a lot is down to the cost of living crisis – such as people being evicted from their homes and not able to take their animals to rented accommodation.
“Every day we are trying to find a way to take more in. It is a very difficult and overwhelming time for us all here.”
How you can help
Craig added: “We do need the public’s help – if someone is thinking of taking on an animal please consider getting a rescue first. In some ways you are helping two animals, the one you give a forever home to – and you then free up space for us to take in another animal.
“Or if you can’t do that then people can sponsor an animal while they are in our care – more details are available on the animals on our website someone like sweet Charlie – who is one of our longest stays and has been in our care a staggering for over 250 days after he was found as a stray. If you can’t rehome Charlie you can still help towards his care while we do our best to find him the perfect home.
“Or you could become a fosterer – we currently have 24 animals in foster care and it is thanks to these amazing people we can help such large numbers of animals.
“We know times are tough for everyone right now – but any little help you can give to the centre – will go directly into helping all the wonderful animals we are caring for – all who desperately deserve a second chance.”
