More animals coming into rescue as rehoming slows, RSPCA reveals
More dogs are coming into rescue centres while the rate of rehoming has slowed, according to new figures from RSPCA.
The animal welfare charity’s data shows rehoming has dropped 10% while animal intake is up 8.4% year-on-year.
In 2021, the RSPCA’s network of centres and branches rehomed 26,945 animals; an 8% drop compared to the previous year when 29,358 animals were rehomed, despite the Covid pandemic affecting the way in which charities across the nation could rehome.
The figures also show the number of dogs rehomed by the charity also fell 6% from 4,877 in 2020 to 4,567 in 2021.
At the same time, the average stay for an animal in RSPCA care also increased for dogs by 9.4% – from 85 days in 2020 to 93 days in 2021.
The RSPCA’s annual Adoptober rehoming drive has now kicked off – coinciding with World Animal Day (4 October) – and will run throughout the month, promoting adoption and highlighting the many animals the charity has waiting to find their perfect match.
Pet welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “It’s really concerning to see that animals are staying in our care for longer and that less are being rehomed year-on-year. Unfortunately, we believe we’re really starting to see the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
“Many of the animals – particularly dogs – who are coming into our care have behavioural challenges which could be linked to how they were bred as well as lockdown limiting the amount of training, socialising and outside world experience they had.”
She added: “We’re also beginning to see more animals coming into our care because their owners simply couldn’t afford to care for them any more; or, in the most extreme cases, having been neglected or abandoned due to the rising cost of pet care.
“Sadly, this is coming at the same time that potential pet owners are deciding now is not the best time to take on an animal due to the soaring cost of living and feeling they cannot financially commit to adding a pet to their family at such a worrying time.”
