Abandoned pets epidemic

11:54am Friday 19th October 2012 in News

Hamster that were dumped in a bin Hamster that were dumped in a bin

THE number of unwanted pets in Hampshire has reached epidemic levels, it has been revealed.

Figures show that the county is overrun by stray and abandoned animals because owners can no longer afford to keep them.

Now the Blue Cross is calling on pet owners to stop the explosion in “disposable” pets by launching a neutering campaign.

It comes as cash-strapped owners have become amateur breeders to supplement their income, which has seen the dog and cat population has hit a high.

Just one unneutered female cat can produce 18 kittens a year and can end up with 20,000 descendants in just five years.

The Blue Cross rehoming centre in Bubb Lane, Southampton, said it is struggling to keep up with unwanted pets. The number of pets born at Blue Cross centres after their pregnant mothers were dumped has almost doubled in a year from 161 to 312.

And there has been a 70 per cent increase in abandoned kittens in the last 12 months.

Its Southampton centre is full – with 40 dogs and 60 cats – but there are more than 130 cats, 33 dogs and 14 rabbits on a waiting list. Manager Lara Alford said: “The fact that we’re seeing pets increasingly being treated like disposable items – abandoned outside our centre or dumped like rubbish – is shocking.

“The problem is there are simply too many animals for too few homes. Supply is greater than demand.”

For more information go to bluecross.org.uk/neuter.

Comments(11)

slyone00 says...
1:42pm Fri 19 Oct 12

I would happily take a small dog from them and give it a warm and loving home with my family and 3 yr old Yorkie.
I can afford to keep one but not £100 to adopt one.
I filled in their form once but they never replied.

Besides which, the process involves multiple visits and a home visit to see if we match the dog and the dog matches us. This seems excessive.

No wonder they are overflowing.

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George4th says...
2:12pm Fri 19 Oct 12

The blame lies with the thoughtless and irresponsible people who acquired the animals in the first place. Having an animal is a commitment and too many people do not understand that simple fact before getting one!
THINK before getting a pet!

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Urbane Forager says...
2:21pm Fri 19 Oct 12

I know this suggestion is likely to polarise opinion somewhat, and will even horrify some more sensitive pet lovers, but I can’t help thinking that there could be a more simple solution to this problem; especially if you consider it in parallel with the news of rising food prices...

Meantime, the cats would probably enjoy a hamster or two for supper, instead of that tinned/dried rubbish...

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Zeo says...
2:25pm Fri 19 Oct 12

I would be more then happy to take the hamsters home with me, always had them when growing up, cutest little fluffy things ever

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Higginz says...
2:33pm Fri 19 Oct 12

I quite like the idea of going for a walk, and coming across families of animals living wild. Perhaps I'd have a picnic, and I would tempt them over with small bits of cheese or some lettuce. Mr and Mrs Scraggycat and their 20,000 offspring would surround me and I'd tell stories. Meanwhile Dr Budgie and some of his friends would swoop down and sit on nearby tree branches and listen in. Soon, as the mice, hamsters and guinea pigs all gather, I'd be overcome with emotion at the whole scene. Yes, abandonedonded pets are a good thing.

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Huffter says...
4:39pm Fri 19 Oct 12

The main issue here is on who should be neutered - the unwanted pets or the irreponsible "owners"?

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TimTam says...
5:48pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Huffter wrote:
The main issue here is on who should be neutered - the unwanted pets or the irreponsible "owners"?
Both!

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sparkster says...
7:26pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Well said George4th the problem is some people dont talk it through and go into it enough, animals come with responsibility you have to out in all winds and weathers with a dog and there are going to be vet bills, if people cant really afford it they shouldnt have pets, same at xmas the kids are bought a puppy when the novelty wears off out goes the puppy if more people thought it through properly there wouldnt be so many abandoned animals, as the slogan says a puppy is for life not just for xmas

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sass says...
12:20am Sat 20 Oct 12

Are these abandoned animals infectious?
If not, then a better word is endemic. The place of abandonment being Hampshire.

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YellowTaxi says...
6:12pm Sat 20 Oct 12

These places are SO fussy about who gets to adopt a kitten. If you live in a flat you have NO chance of them letting you adopt an unwanted kitten even if you take measures to provide plenty of entertainment for them...as well as the love and care they need.

My kitten has a large amount of toys and indoor cat trees/platforms/hidy holes for him to climb and play with. He is much healthier than when I got him. I have insurance for him. I feed him good quality food and he gets plenty of love and attention. No cat could want for a better and more caring home but I couldn't adopt one because I live in a flat. It's ridiculous.

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saintslou says...
10:28pm Sat 20 Oct 12

6 years ago I applied to adopt a dog from The Blue Cross. To this day I have never heard a thing. I understand them not wanting to chance rehoming an older dog to a home with children but they have loads of puppies handed in. Its no wonder they are over run.

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