THE RSPCA’S Birmingham Animal Centre at Newbrook Farm in Frankley is facing a crisis with 133 abandoned pets currently there waiting for a new home.
Shocking new figures show that – during 2023 – 42 per cent more animals arrived at the centre than were adopted.
The south Birmingham centre, like all of the ones the charity runs nationwide, is either full or near capacity with pets either wanting to be adopted or being assessed for adoption.
This has left countless dogs, cats and other animals in emergency boarding, awaiting a place at a rehoming centre.
The charity, which is marking its 200th year, has launched its ‘Adoptober’ rehoming campaign in a bid to ease the spiralling crisis.
Last year, while the charity’s 14 rehoming centres and 135 independently-run branches found new homes for an incredible 28,208 dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets, that was far fewer than the 40,118 animals that arrived at the shelters across England and Wales.
Problem is much worse and spiralling
The problem is now worse than the previous year – when pet intake (37,910) was 39 per cent greater than the numbers rehomed (27,277).
The spiralling problem is placing even more pressure on the charity, as it urgently searches for loving new homes for pets.
Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places for rescued animals, said: “Our rescue centres are jam-packed, and across the board, we’ve been seeing more animals coming to us than we are rehoming.
“We are issuing a rallying cry to anyone in Birmingham and across the Midlands 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.”
Last year, across England and Wales, the RSPCA took in over 40,000 dogs, cats and other animals, but only around seven out of 10 of those – 28,208 – were rehomed. This increasing discrepancy between animal intake and rehoming numbers is a worrying trend, and means so many animals are still waiting for a home.
This year, the picture again looks critical, with data from the first six months of the year showing that the RSPCA’s 14 national animal centres took in 21 per cent more dogs, 16 per cent more cats and 32 per cent more equines compared to the first six months of 2023. Only rabbits showed a decline.
The RSPCA hopes its month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign will increase adoption rates across England and Wales. The drive celebrates the benefits of rescue pets, highlights the many animals that are waiting to find their perfect‘forever’ match and dispels myths about rescue pet rehoming.
Long-term residents needing a home
RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre in Frankley has several ‘long stay’ animals who are looking for their forever homes.
Sooty and Sweep (pictured above) have been at the centre since April. The poor pair came into RSPCA care through the Home for Life scheme after their owner sadly passed away.
They initially refused to eat but after they were placed in a loving foster home they did much better and are ready to find a new home together.
Degus Wasabi and Ketchup were rescued along with 13 others as they were being kept in unsuitable living conditions.
Underweight and scared when they arrived, it took them a few weeks to settle in and gain confidence and now they are much happier. They have gained weight and they are all very inquisitive boys.
They are currently in foster care but are looking for their forever home. They have been described as “friendly and inquisitive” by their carers.
Potential adopters can visit the RSPCA’s Find A Pet webpage to see all of the animals currently in the charity’s care who are looking for their perfect match.
Supporters can also help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming by donating online or calling their donation line on 0300 123 8181.
