Rehoming centres across the UK are ‘at breaking point’ as animals arrive faster than they leave.
The RSPCA believe the predicament has largely been caused by the cost of living crisis and currently, there are more than 1,400 animals waiting in private boarding shelters because the charity's centres are full.
In the first four months of this year, it cost the RSPCA an eye-watering £2.1 million to provide care for hundreds of animals in private boarding shelters because its own centres were already at capacity. Of that total, almost £1.2 million went on kennelling hundreds of dogs.
The RSPCA is therefore urging the public to consider adopting a rescue pet rather than buying.
We’re launching an urgent appeal to those families who do feel they commit to the cost and responsibility of a pet to please consider adopting a rescue instead of buying from a breeder or a pet shop.
Karen Colman from the RSPCA, said: "We’re currently facing an animal welfare crisis. Our rescue and rehoming centres are at breaking point with the number of animals coming in versus the number being rehomed.
“We currently have 503 dogs waiting to come into our rehoming centres and, while they wait, they’re being cared for by an amazing network of private boarding kennels - but, amid the cost of living crisis, many of these have also had to increase their prices, making it a growing expense for us. The bills we’re facing are mounting every month.
“Sadly, more animals in need are coming into us all the time - many who have been the victims of awful cruelty, abuse and neglect - and rehoming rates have struggled in recent years as many families feel the pinch of the cost of living crisis and make the decision not to take on a pet.
“We’re launching an urgent appeal to those families who do feel they commit to the cost and responsibility of a pet to please consider adopting a rescue instead of buying from a breeder or a pet shop. We have hundreds of animals in our care with so much love to give, they just need a chance.”
The cost of living crisis is seriously impacting potential new pet owners as well as animal rescue organisations.
Dr Samantha Gainese from the RSPCA said: “The cost of living has also led to a reduction in the number of people who are willing to take on an animal as they try to save money, and a recent RSPCA survey found 72% of people were not planning to get a new pet.
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