19/04/2010 Shelters could turn away thousands of animals

Last Article | News For April 2010 | Next Article

There are reports that the RSPCA will be forced to turn away stray or unwanted pets from its animal shelters due to cutting costs and focus on animal cruelty issues instead. The RSPCA has an income of around £119 million but has seen its income drop over the past few years due to the recession, it is about to begin a savings drive over the next three years in a bid to save £54 million.

In 2008 the RSPCA spent more than £11 million on prosecutions; in 2007 it spent only £7 million. The new Animal Welfare Act 2007, which introduced additional offences to included those against failure to care for the welfare of animals as well as acts of cruelty to animals, has caused an increase in court cases.

The 75,000 animals rescued each year that are taken in to shelter across England and Wales will need to be placed elsewhere if the crisis in funding that the RSPCA says it has continues. The RSPCA say that from May the 4th, 17 animal rescue centres will only be able to take animals that are “generated” by the organisation. This means that it will only take in animals that are seized by RSPCA inspectors in cruelty cases and those that are at immediate risk of cruelty.

This means that animals belonging to owners who are taken in to hospital or facing eviction from their homes will also be turned away and asked to contact the police, a vet or their local council.

Next Article: Crufts sponsor Lord Kirkham sells DFS
Last Article: New guide for pets in social housing
This Month: News For April 2010