We’re urging struggling pet owners to surrender their animal rather than abandon them. The RSPCA Coventry and District is seeing an increase in abandonments over the last few months. This is alongside animals being dumped with no regard for their welfare or while abusing the staff at the centre.
Three adult cats were abandoned at the centre at 1.30am on Thursday morning trapped together in a small cat carrier. While the centre’s CCTV recorded the incident, the cats were trapped together for several hours causing severe distress to the animals. None of the cats were microchipped, making it difficult to not only take legal action against the owner but also understand the animal’s medical histories.
The abandonments put increasing pressure on us and our resources but also for individuals who are surrendering their animals and are on the centre’s waitlist. The RSPCA Coventry has a waitlist for people wanting to surrender their animal and abandonments cause the centre team to have to find spaces on-site or with fosterers and extend the waiting period for others.
While the new cattery opening in January, will help ease the pressures of the waitlist, the economic pressures will continue to affect pet owners. The RSPCA Coventry and District urge any pet owner who is struggling to enter the surrender process rather than abandonment.
Lorraine Bryan-Arnold, Centre Manager, says “There is a big difference between surrendering an animal and abandoning one. Surrendering is a conversation — it allows us to plan properly and keep animals safe. Abandonment removes all of that protection and leaves animals frightened, cold, and at risk. These three cats didn’t need to suffer like this.”
This approach enables the team at the centre to help humans and animals while space becomes available. This is through the centre’s pet food bank as well as animal welfare help from their experts. The vet clinic at the centre is also available to the public at a cost-effective price point. This ensures that owners surrender their animal instead of abandonment and the potential risk of legal action.
The three cats, Huckleberry, Stig and Annie, are all being cared for at the centre, but their lack of medical history means they may need costly and extensive treatment before being rehomed.
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- Huckleberry
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- Stig and Annie
It also impacts on the centre’s costs which are also on the rise, at a monthly £46,000 while accessing crucial grant funding, corporate donations and donations from the general public is harder. However, the team at the centre are committed to helping cats and dogs across the region and as an independent charity funds are closely monitored and audited to put a focus on animal care.
If you are struggling with pet ownership, please contact the RSPCA Coventry and District and the centre can provide help and support.
