A “perfect storm” of increased dog ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent cost of living crisis has left a dog rescue shelter in Wales overwhelmed.
Hope Rescue, located near Pontyclun in Rhondda Cynon Taf, has faced a surge in abandoned dogs, including two litters of puppies this year and several dogs left on mountainsides.
“Things are getting worse, and we’re really at a crisis point – the number of animals far outstrips the capacity of rescue,” said Sara Rosser, the centre’s head of operations.
According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association, over three million UK households acquired pets during the pandemic. Ms. Rosser noted that the shelter, which opened in 2005, is constantly at capacity, taking in more than 900 dogs in the past year alone.
“We were hoping to see numbers decline, but demand for rescue spaces is worse than ever,” she explained, describing January as “relentless.”
The situation is dire, with two German shepherds found abandoned in Bedwas and two “heavily matted” cockapoos neglected in Caerphilly just last week.
“It is a real concern for us – the level of neglect and abandonment we’re seeing,” Ms. Rosser said. She added that the German shepherds would not have survived the freezing conditions had they not been rescued.
The shelter has been operating at full capacity since last summer, housing more than 160 dogs – half in kennels and the rest with foster families.
“We’re still seeing the fallout from the boom in dog ownership during Covid,” Ms. Rosser said. “With more people struggling financially, they’re unable to provide veterinary care or are losing their homes. Sadly, some are choosing to abandon their pets rather than wait for a rescue space.”
This month, the shelter received a terrier named Pilau, abandoned at a local vet while still giving birth to six puppies, one of which did not survive. Another case involved a dachshund with four pups, all of whom were surrendered to a local vet. The puppies, just eight weeks old, are undergoing treatment for a chronic skin condition.
Two cockapoos, named Mary Kate and Ashley, were found abandoned on Fochriw Mountain with matted fur, faeces-covered coats, skin sores, and a strong smell of diesel.
The shelter’s CEO, Vanessa Waddon, shared the story of Toasty, a Shar Pei crossbreed found in Merthyr Tydfil. Toasty arrived at the centre with significant fur loss and open wounds.
“We’ve never seen so many cruelty and neglect cases as we are seeing now,” Ms. Waddon said. Toasty is currently under veterinary care and will soon be assessed for rehoming.
Hope Rescue is urging pet owners struggling to care for their animals to seek help immediately to prevent unnecessary suffering.
“There’s a perception that rescue centres are too strict, but our responsibility is to the dogs and their adopters,” Ms. Rosser said. “When we ask questions, it’s because we want to ensure it’s the right match for both the dog and the family.”