RSPCA rehoming centre at breaking point after being 'inundated with puppies'

A Cornwall animal rehoming centre is at breaking point because people can't afford to keep a dog and want an easy fix. The RSPCA said its centre in St Columb may be at full capacity but it does not stop people from dropping off unwanted pets including entire litters of puppies that people do not know what to do with.

Emily Bowen, chief executive officer of the RSPCA Cornwall Branch said: "We have one rehoming centre in St Columb Major that rehomes dogs, cats and small animals. We are full and have a large waiting list of animals waiting to come in."

She said rehoming of animals has been very slow lately especially as people struggle with the cost of living crisis and the XL bully ban has put people off owning large dogs. As a consequence, the RSPCA rehoming centre has had to take in several large breeds of dogs which it is now struggling to rehome.

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Ms Bowen added: "We have more animals coming to us with more severe health problems that people can't afford to treat and more behaviour issues. I think unfortunately we are in a societal culture where people do not have the time always to work with these animals and want an easy fix. We have also been inundated with puppies.

"We want to encourage people to foster if they can't afford to keep an animal as we provide support. You are more than welcome to come up and meet us to discuss further."

The animal centre between Wadebridge and Newquay has a capacity for 28 dogs and is full. The charity said the situation is so dire it has had to build a new kennel for 12 more dogs, with the work currently underway.

Ms Bowen added: "This is very costly for the branch but it is needed to support the dogs in Cornwall. What we have had to do is increase our foster network and we currently have 40 dogs in foster homes which is a huge increase from last year for us. Breeds include Belgian malinois, lurchers and large bull breed crosses."

The situation is now unique to Cornwall but is replicated around the country. Nationally the charity has been urging the public to consider adopting a pet instead of buying as a way to reduce the stress on its rescue centre, which it said are all at capacity.

The RSPCA said it costs the charity in the region of £500,000 a month to run its centres and it is only getting worse as the cost of living crisis has left rescue centres facing an ‘animal welfare crisis’.

Currently, there are more than 1,400 animals waiting in private boarding centres because RSPCA 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 centres because its own centres are already at capacity. Of that total, almost £1.2m went on kennelling hundreds of dogs because there wasn’t any space left in any of the RSPCA’s own dedicated centres and branches.

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Karen Colman, head of animal logistics and welfare oversight at the RSPCA, said: “As we celebrate our 200th birthday this year, it’s incredible to see how far animal welfare has come since our founding in 1824. But the sad reality is that there’s still so much to do, and 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."

She added: "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 RSPCA has launched a Cost of Living Hub with lots of advice to help pet owners who may be struggling with the cost of caring for their pets, as well as a dedicated telephone helpline.

• Anyone who feels they’re able to rehome a pet can see all of the animals ready to find love on Find A Pet.

• To support the RSPCA in their vital work rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect, rehabilitating and rehoming, please donate online.