RSPCA calls for new law which could see nearly 1,000 abused animals in Essex rehomed faster
Current rules mean pets can't be rehomed until a court case is over
The RSPCA is calling on the government to change a law that means around 1,000 animals in Essex have to wait before they can be rehomed.
Current rules mean pets whose owners are being prosecuted cannot be rehomed until the court case is over.
But this can be damaging to the animals who have already had a tough time, experts say.
As part of its Second Chances campaign, the charity is calling for a change in the law which would mean an animal’s future is no longer dependent on court proceedings.
A new animal welfare law allowing the charity to rehome an animal following a two-month appeal process would mean the RSPCA can give those pets the forever home they deserve much more quickly rather than waiting for lengthy court cases to finish.
Shelley Phillips, Senior Campaigns Manager at the RSPCA, said:
"Our animal care staff go to great lengths to make sure all the animals in our rescue centres get the care and attention they need and are treated as if they were their own pets but a rescue centre can never substitute the comfort and security of a permanent home with loving owners.
"We know that spending extended periods of time in kennels and temporary accommodation can impact an animal’s psychological welfare.
"This is particularly true for puppies which are at a critical stage of their development and we are seeing increasing numbers of puppies coming into our care as part of our investigation work.
"This is why we are urging the Governments in England and Wales to make a change in the law which would allow us to rehome a pet after two-months, similar to what has also been proposed in Scotland with the SSPCA."
Studies using dogs kennelled for a variety of reasons have shown that many animals find kennel life challenging and dogs can show considerable physiological and behavioural distress.
Research has also found that for dogs neither bred nor raised in kennels the transition is especially stressful.
Dr Sam Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said:
"Sadly, our welfare teams are frequently required to deal with behavioural problems in dogs due to spending long periods in kennels.
"Some dogs may show their frustration by barking or whining while others will hide away and despite the best efforts of our animal care staff this can have a long-term impact on their wellbeing.
"Some may even display repetitive or compulsive behaviours which require medication and behavioural treatment.
"The RSPCA goes to great lengths to provide a stable environment for all the pets in our care and work hard to rehabilitate those dogs who struggle with kennel life but we feel that these issues could often be avoided if the animals were rehomed much more quickly."