Cornish kindness praised by animal charity after rise in rescue rehoming
RSPCA Cornwall branch’s The William & Patricia Venton Animal Centre sees 23% rise in rehoming numbers
Animal-lovers in Cornwall have been praised for giving rescue pets a much needed second-chance after the county’s RSPCA rehoming centre reported a 23% rise in rehoming in 2020.
The RSPCA Cornwall branch - which runs The William & Patricia Venton Animal Centre in St Columb - is also thanking people in the Duchy for showing compassion and kindness for older animals after successfully finding homes for all their longer stay animals during the year too.
In total, 260 animals were rehomed by the team during 2020 - compared to 208 in 2019.
Emily Bowen, from the RSPCA Cornwall branch team, said: “Having a pet is incredibly rewarding and giving a home to a rescue pet is a fantastic way of giving an animal a second chance in life. We’re incredibly grateful for all those who’ve kindly made space for rescue animals they’ve rehomed from our centre this year.
“We’re seen many of our older and long stay animals given the chance they so desperately deserve too and wish them and their new owners all the best as they enjoy their first Christmas together.
“We would always urge anyone thinking of getting a pet to adopt, not shop. By adopting an animal you are saving two animals lives - as you are giving one animal a new home and a second animal a space in a rescue centre.
“Those of us who own rescue animals know how amazing it is to have a pet as part of your family but always advise people considering getting any animal to do their research to make sure they have the time, money and space to care for them for the rest of their lives.”
The charity is continuing to shine a light on animals in its care who need a new home by promoting the benefits of adopting a rescue animal. The RSPCA is the UK's biggest rehomer, finding 39,178 homes for pets last year - that’s 107 a day, or four an hour.
The Cornwall rescue centre always has a number of amazing animals who have been saved from neglected, abuse and abandonment in their care who are looking for loving homes and are encouraging people thinking of welcoming a animal in their lives to search the RSPCA’s Find A Pet web page to find out more about the animals needing homes in Cornwall.
Much like other charities, the RSPCA branch in Cornwall has struggled with organising fundraising activities during the pandemic and have sought different ways of reaching out for support to help them continue to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals.
The animals have recently been given a boost by SUEZ household waste recycling centres across Cornwall after they joined efforts to support the animal welfare charity by asking people in Cornwall to bring unwanted pet items to the sites.
Emily added: “We have really struggled with fundraising opportunities this year with all our usual activities sadly cancelled because of the pandemic. The support we’ve been given has been amazing and hope that people will continue to show their kindness to rescue animals by supporting us.”
If you are interested in supporting the centre, donating items, or would like to find out more about volunteering at the RSPCA Cornwall Branch please visit https://rspcacornwall.org.uk/ or telephone 01637 881455.