Protection group urgently seeks financial support after rescuing 12,000 animals since the start of summer.
France’s animal sanctuaries are sounding the alarm as they grapple with a tidal wave of abandoned pets this summer, pushing them to the brink of “saturation.” More than 100,000 furry companions face abandonment annually in a heart-wrenching ritual, with over half of them left to navigate the wild just before or during the leisurely summer break. The poignant scenes unfold along scenic routes to the coast or countryside, as pets are left behind, waiting for families who won’t return.
The Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) has issued a heartfelt plea for financial support, revealing the strain on their resources after welcoming 12,000 animals since the season’s inception. In a desperate scramble for space, shelters are stretching their limits, striving to rescue every furry friend in peril. The SPA paints a dire picture, stating, “Today, the situation is alarming. We urgently need to save, feed, and care for all victims of abandonment and abuse.”
Beyond the SPA, numerous animal refuges, including the whimsically named 30 Millions d’amis and the iconic Brigitte Bardot Foundation, report a surge in abandoned pets. It’s not just financial pressures faced by families dealing with soaring expenses; it’s a perfect storm where the rising tide of inflation meets the ebbing tide of adoptions.
A survey by Ifop last November captured the harsh reality, revealing that 18% of French families shelved plans to adopt animals due to financial constraints. The SPA, custodians of 58 refuges out of around 500 in France, traces the surge to those who embraced pets during the Covid lockdown only to part ways when reality clashed with post-pandemic lifestyles. This year’s figures are projected to be at least 15% higher, painting a poignant portrait of the animal-human bond tested in the crucible of changing times.
Transport Minister Clément Beaune, stepping into the poignant narrative during a visit to a Brigitte Bardot Foundation refuge, implored his fellow citizens not to leave their loyal companions stranded by the country’s roads. In a stern warning, he declared, “It is unacceptable. Those who abandon will be severely and heavily punished.” France, recognizing the gravity of the issue, enacted a law in 2022 equating animal abandonment with “mistreatment,” imposing fines of up to €45,000 (£38,700) and potential three-year prison sentences for transgressors. Yet, the heart-wrenching abandonments persist, casting a shadow over the nation’s commitment to its furry friends.