Somerset charity saves four dogs from death as unwanted pets soar
Several dogs have been rescued in Somerset from being put down after being left on the streets as unwanted pets. A surge in dog ownership during the coronavirus lockdowns and the current cost of living crisis are leading to increasing numbers of pets being put down by local pounds because there is nowhere for them to go, according to a Somerset charity.
Unwanted animals are normally put down by local authorities if they are not claimed after seven days and cannot be sent to a rescue centre. A group of dogs that were due to be killed at a pound have been taken in by St Giles Animal Rescue, based near Taunton, this week.
Speaking to ITV News[1], Jack Linnell, director of the centre, revealed it is currently receiving a large number of unwanted dogs. He said: "We’re just inundated.
"We’re up from last year 10 per cent on our rehoming figures, which is not ideal. We were busy last year, this year seems like it’s going to be a busy year for us.
"Up until recently a lot of the rescues have been taking in 'poundies' and they are able to do that but only if they’ve got space themselves in the rescue and, at the moment, a lot of the rescues are chock-a with long-term dogs that they’re struggling to rehome."
Senior rehoming coordinator Gemma Power said a "perfect storm" in recent years has led to the current situation. She added: "Obviously lockdown - we’ve been getting the three to four year-old dogs coming in and, unfortunately, now we’re having the cost of living so that’s been a massive surge for us for why we’re seeing so many dogs coming in."
References
- ^ ITV News (www.itv.com)
- ^ Tributes to 'fiercely loyal' motorcyclist from Somerset who died in crash (www.somersetlive.co.uk)