The rescued animals 'looking for love' in Cornwall
The RSPCA has launched its 'Adoptober' campaign, urging people to adopt a pet rather than buy
Last updated 8th Oct 2022
The RSPCA has launched its annual 'Adoptober' campaign encouraging prospective pet owners to consider giving a rescued animal a new home, as new national figures raise concerns that more animals are being relinquished to charities at a time when rehoming has slowed.
The animal welfare charity, which operates 14 national rehoming centres across England and Wales - while supporting a network of branches with an additional 45 animal shelters, has released new figures that show rehoming has dropped 8% while animal intake is up 8.4% year-on-year.
However, Cornwall is bucking the national trend - seeing a 25% rise in the number of animals being rehomed. Scroll down to meet some of the animals looking for love in the Duchy.
What do the figures show?
In 2021, the RSPCA's network of centres and branches rehomed 26,945 animals - an 8% drop compared to the previous year when 29,358 animals were rehomed and a huge 31% drop from 2019 (39,178) despite the Covid pandemic affecting the way in which charities across the nation could rehome.
The number of dogs rehomed by the charity also fell 6% from 4,877 in 2020 to 4,567 in 2021; while cats dropped 12% from 17,868 in 2020 to 15,579 in 2021.
However, in Cornwall, the total number of animals rehomed increased by 25% from 267 in 2020 to 335 in 2021, bucking the trend seen in most other counties. The number of dogs rose slightly from 75 to 77, while cats also crept up from 149 to 152. Rabbits rose nine to 16, and other pets surged 165% from 34 to 90.
Across England and Wales, the average stay for an animal (the number of days they spend in RSPCA care from being ready to rehome to leaving for their new home) also increased for dogs by 9.4% - from 85 days in 2020 to 93 days in 2021 - and for rabbits - from 104 in 2020 to 117 in 2021, an increase of 12.5%. Cats' length of stay remained the same at 67 days.
Pet welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: "It's really concerning to see that animals are staying in our care for longer and that less are being rehomed year-on-year. Unfortunately, we believe we're really starting to see the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
"Many of the animals - particularly dogs - who are coming into our care have behavioural challenges which could be linked to how they were bred as well as lockdown limiting the amount of training, socialising and outside world experience they had.
"We're also beginning to see more animals coming into our care because their owners simply couldn't afford to care for them anymore or, in the most extreme cases, having been neglected or abandoned due to the rising cost of pet care.
"Sadly, this is coming at the same time that potential pet owners are deciding now is not the best time to take on an animal due to the soaring cost of living and feeling they cannot financially commit to adding a pet to their family at such a worrying time.
"For those who are able to bring a pet into their home, we are urging them to really consider adopting rather than buying. Many of our animals will already be neutered, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms - making it much more cost-effective - and we will work them to make sure they find their perfect match".
In 2021, the RSPCA saw more dogs, rabbits and other pets (including small furries, pet birds, farm animals and exotics) coming into its care than in 2020. Intake for cats and horses fell by 1.7% and 18.1%, respectively.
Last year, the charity rescued:
● 7,412 dogs - 11.9% more than the 6,624 in 2020;
● 7.1% more rabbits (2,731 compared to 2,549);
● 6% more other pets (5,900 compared to 5,566).
The RSPCA's Animal Kindness Index, released earlier this year, highlighted the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on pet owners. The survey found that 68% of pet owners were concerned about the increasing cost of pet care while 19% were worried about being able to afford to feed their pets.
Figures released by the charity in August revealed that its cruelty line was receiving more than 100 reports a day of animals being abandoned throughout 2021 and the concern is that the cost-of-living crisis could lead to this riding even higher.
Animals looking for love in Cornwall
RSPCA Cornwall branch is looking to find owners who can see past the unusual looks of their six earless bunnies and take on the sweet youngsters.
The six seven-month-old rabbits are struggling to find their new homes due to their odd appearance. Their ears were groomed off by their mum when they were very young, and sadly their mother has since passed away.
While they don't have their external ears, they can still hear, and it doesn't cause them any problems although their new owners will need to keep a close eye on them during hot and cold weather as rabbits use their ears to regulate their temperature.
Bill and Ben (pictured below) are brothers who love to spend time together and are slowly growing in confidence.
They'd like a patient and loving owner who can put some time in to help them learn how to socialise. They like their own space and will need a large outdoor enclosure to explore and run.
And the Beatrix Potter buns - sisters Heidi, Cottontail (pictured top), Lily and Petal - are also looking for homes in pairs.
They can also be nervous and are still getting to grips with the world so will need patient and understanding owners who can give them the time they need to settle and grow.
How can I adopt an animal in Cornwall?
Could you offer a rescue pet a loving new home? Please visit Find A Pet to see all the animals currently in RSPCA care who are looking for their 'paw-fect' match.
If you can't offer a rescue pet a new home perhaps you could help in a different way?
● Become a fosterer for a sick pet recovering from surgery or a youngster who needs to learn how to behave in a home.
● Help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming by donating online or calling its donation line on 0300 123 8181.
● Sponsor a cat pod or a dog kennel and help take care of the animals during their stay with us.
● Support the work of your local centre or branch by becoming a volunteer or donating to them directly.
More information about the animals 'looking for love' in Cornwall can be found on the branch website.