The RSPCA has made an urgent appeal to dog enthusiasts after facing a challenging summer. The animal welfare organization is urging potential adopters to step forward this September.
This call comes as the charity reports a significant increase in the number of dogs under its care due to various instances of cruelty and neglect. According to an update on the RSPCA website, the charity had a record 1,646 dogs in its care in July, more than double the figure from the same period in 2020.
Out of all the animals under the RSPCA’s care, one-third are dogs. The organization rescued 445 dogs in July alone, a notable rise compared to the average of 245 per month over the past five years.
The appeal highlights that due to the full capacity of RSPCA centers, almost half of the dogs are currently housed in private kennels, along with other animals in boarding facilities due to space constraints. This situation amounts to a monthly cost exceeding £650,000 for the charity.
As the largest animal welfare charity in the UK, the RSPCA comprises over 400 animal rescuers, 1,500 staff members, and nearly 7,000 volunteers. The organization is hopeful that the public will come forward to offer rescued dogs a new beginning and alleviate the space crunch.
Glenn Mayoll, Operations Manager at the RSPCA, emphasized the challenges faced by frontline teams during the busiest time of the year, dealing with cases of cruelty and neglect. He stressed the need for public support in adopting RSPCA rescue dogs to ease the burden on the organization.
While details of recent large-scale incidents remain undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, the RSPCA mentioned that the dogs in their care have been rescued from distressing situations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Some dogs are not yet available for adoption due to ongoing legal processes.
The charity encourages animal lovers to consider adoption or share rehoming profiles to help dogs find new families. Glenn highlighted the diverse range of dogs available for adoption, including those needing special care due to past trauma, and invited interested individuals to reach out.
For those interested in adopting, the RSPCA’s “Find a Pet” page showcases all dogs available for adoption across its centers.