Recession hits RSPCA

Animal care assistant Karen with Sam; RSPCA sign (courtesy of flickr)

 The number of animals being abandoned across the north of England has soared due to the recession by more 67 per cent in 2009 according to RSPCA figures.

 Animals are being neglected and treated badly due to the recession, lots of animals are suffering as their owners cannot afford to keep them any longer. They are being abandoned or taken to the RSPCA.

Although the most common animal to think of are Cats and Dogs, many more are affected. Hundreds of horses face being shot this winter because their owners can no longer keep them, and the sanctuaries cannot cope with the demand of the requests.

It is a challenging time for the
RSPCA, and also the animals
that are left abandoned because
 there is not always room to take
animals in, this is why a lot are
abandoned.

 The charity is also facing financial pressures, with so many animals to care for and with so little money to do so they are over run with animals and are struggling.

Lots of people have animals to care for and they do cost a lot of money to do so and most understand the struggle with the recession but highly disagree with the way people deal with it.

Amanda Lowry, aged 37: “I have a Yorkshire terrier and even though the recession has hit me, just like everyone else I could never ever give my dog away or worse, abandon it. They have feelings and cannot just be left anywhere, what if someone didn’t find them?”

The public agree that the recession is hitting hard but they also think that it is appalling some of the situations the animals are left in.

Paul Doyle, aged 25: “It is awful and people shouldn’t buy dogs if they cannot afford them. I have a cat, and although they are not as much high maintenance as dogs, they still cost money but all you need to do is buy a cheaper brand of food.”

The RSPCA in Halewood has many abandoned animals, each with their own personal story to tell.
Karen, Animal Care Assistant has worked at the RSPCA in Halewood for 10 years said: “Sam, aged 4 was abandoned for 2 weeks in a house, his owner had left him there. When we found him he was half starved. He is getting better now but still really skinny and we have to keep a close eye on him.”

The RSPCA in Halewood is almost full to its maximum, with only a few empty dog kennels left, and no space for cats they have a waiting list, but not everyone will wait for their chance.

Karen went on to say: “We get hundreds of phone calls a week asking to take their pets in but they leave it until last minute and this isn’t always possible. We are completely over run with cats and dogs. There is a waiting list of about a week, sometimes longer.

The RSCA offers help and advice to anyone who is struggling to care for an animal for any reason. They urge the public to listen to this advice before abandoning or bringing them in when there is not always space.

   
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