Ben Madilynn
ANIMAL-lovers are being asked to consider adopting a pet after the RSPCA revealed that one of its local rehoming centres is “full to bursting”.
The charity says it is facing a “rehoming crisis” and that last year 42% more animals arrived at the RSPCA than were adopted – with 120 pets currently at the Ashley Heath rehoming centre in Ringwood.
They include Pierre, a two-year-old Lurcher crossbreed who was rescued following welfare concerns. He lacked socialisation with dogs and people which meant he became easily frustrated.
But he has since been on a training plan at the home and his behaviour has “improved significantly”. The charity says he is currently being supported by its behaviour team which will be continued in his new home through the settling in period and beyond if needed.
A spokesperson described him as a “quick learner and when focused, loves to please. He has learnt a variety of commands and enjoys playing interactively with people“.
The RSPCA is running an adoption campaign asking people to consider giving a pet like Pierre a loving home.
A spokesperson said: “We are issuing a rallying cry to anyone in Hampshire and the surrounding counties considering adding a pet to their family to step in and help by giving a rescue pet a second chance instead of buying from breeders.
“Our rehoming centres have reached crisis point and are full-to-bursting, creating a bottle-neck where we’re having to care for rescued animals at emergency boarding kennels and catteries.”
Data from the first six months of the year shows that the RSPCA’s 14 national animal centres took in 21% more dogs, 16% more cats and 32% more equines compared with the first six months of 2023.
The cost-of-living crisis is described as a “driving factor” for the increase with a recent survey finding that nearly 80% of pet-owners finding that food and vet bills were higher than last year.
Potential adopters should visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/findapet
