00:00Inside each of these cages is a hound in need of a home.
00:08This year compared to last year, there's been a 30 to 40 per cent increase of animals coming
00:13into care, so it's been really significant.
00:17Pet ownership boomed during the pandemic.
00:20For the first time in our existence, we had more animals being adopted out than animals
00:26coming in.
00:27But the tide has turned.
00:29The RSPCA has about 200 animals on its surrender list in the ACT.
00:35Some are COVID cast-offs who weren't properly trained or socialised.
00:40Some people say it's too hard and it doesn't fit in our lifestyle anymore.
00:46And the cost of living crisis is biting too.
00:49It's heartbreaking to have to make a decision whether you're going to be able to feed yourself
00:56or feed your pet.
00:58Hey babies, are you ready for a run?
01:02It's a similar story at this Canberra rescue and foster organisation, where surrenders
01:07have skyrocketed and adoptions are down.
01:11We're seeing lots of oodles, we're seeing lots of purebred dogs like pedigree dachshunds,
01:15pedigree beagles, very expensive dogs that four years ago it would have been unthinkable
01:19to see on our website.
01:21And it's taking much longer to find pets a permanent home.
01:25Rescue organisations are pleading with people to remember that adding an animal to the family
01:30shouldn't be an impulse purchase, warning that attitude is to blame for so many pets
01:35being abandoned.
01:37Dogs that perhaps don't come from registered breeders, turning up with health conditions
01:43and maybe some behavioural things that the owners weren't expecting when they rushed
01:47out and bought their COVID puppy.
01:50Foster carers have found joy in embracing older companions.
01:54It's kind of disappointing to see all the dogs that get put into the pound and not really
01:59given a chance.
02:01Giving animals in need a new lease on life.
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