ACT animal rescue organisations stretched to the limit with skyrocketing surrenders

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Animal rescue organisations across the ACT are being stretched to the limit, as they grapple with skyrocketing surrenders. Some are designer dogs bought during the COVID pet boom, while other pets have fallen victim to the cost-of-living crunch.

Transcript

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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