RSPCA rescues thousands in large-scale animal incidents as centres over capacity

The RSPCA needs more people in Shropshire to consider adopting a pet from one of its animal centres - as new figures reveal that the number of nationwide incidents involving 10 or more animals has increased nearly 70% in four years.

Last year the charity responded to 4,200 incidents which involved at least 10 animals at the same address across England and Wales - including 493 in the West Midlands.

The charity today urged people considering adding a pet to their family to consider adopting to help free-up space in their overwhelmed centres.

Rising cruelty and neglect led to a six-year high of animals in RSPCA care, with almost half in emergency boarding because centres are full.

Many of these animals have been rescued from heartbreaking cruelty and neglect, and require extensive care and rehabilitation before they can be rehomed. Many of them are involved in legal cases, which can delay rehoming further.

RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “We are struggling with rising reports of cruelty and neglect and over recent years more and more of those reports will involve, 10, 20, even 100 animals. And because they’ve been living in large groups, they may need more support until they are ready to find a new home.

We currently have more animals in our care than space in our centres. These large animal rescues are adding to already overwhelmed animal centres and local charities.

“We really need help from animal lovers. If you are considering adding a pet to your home, please consider rescuing. We need extra special homes for some of our animals.”

Last year alone, the RSPCA responded to 1,752 mass cat incidents - almost five every single day, and 1,119 mass dog reports last year - that’s three every single day.

There were 75 large-scale incidents involving 100 or more animals being rescued from the same property last year alone - 13 of those included cats, and three included dogs. Many were multi-agency operations involving other charities and public bodies

Cases of large numbers of animals being kept at one address can be linked to mental health struggles, the cost of living crisis,  or breeders operating with poor practices. And RSPCA experts say that initially well-meaning individuals often see situations spiral out of control.

Jo added: “Rescues involving lots of animals are often very complex - and sometimes can include very difficult family circumstances, mental health problems, or be linked to irresponsible pet breeding. 

“People accumulate animals for a multitude of reasons, but the welfare risks for these poor animals are always the same.

"We’ve already had at least five incidents involving hundreds of pets this year. Those sorts of rescues put strain on our services, and are extremely harmful to the animals involved. It is vital we work with external partners when dealing with these types of incidents - to ensure support is in place where appropriate.

“Often, animals rescued from crowded environments are under-socialised and require a long period of rehab before being rehomeable, which puts even more strain on an already stretched rescue centre. 

“We are encouraging people to contact an animal rescue organisation if they are at a stage where they, or someone they know, is struggling with the numbers of animals they have in their household. Often, problems escalate because people don’t reach out early enough.”

Visit rspca.org.uk/findapet if you are able to help by adopting a pet.