Pets bitten by the credit crunch >video
Pet owners across the region who have been hit by the credit crunch are abandoning their animals ahead of Christmas.
The economic downturn also means the problem is being compounded as fewer people can afford to give abandoned animals a new home.
It is feared the problem could worsen as pets bought as Christmas presents are turfed out after the holiday period, which is what often happens.
RSPCA Inspector Jackie Paradis revealed would-be owners are no longer willing to pay out £99 and £61 to adopt a cat or dog, respectively.
The charity's regional rescue centre in Clough Road, west Hull, is full to capacity, so staff are being forced to turn to other towns and cities to try to find homes for animals.
They are even appealing to local veterinary surgeries to take in animals after treatment has ceased until space can be found.
Insp Paradis, who covers the Hull and East Riding area, said: "I am sure pets are being abandoned in the area because owners can no longer afford to keep them.
"People don't want to adopt animals either, even though the prices are pretty good and include vaccination and neutering costs, as well as microchips.
"Nobody has the spare money."
The animal centre has room for 22 dogs with three puppy pens. In addition, there is space for 29 cats and other smaller pets.
Insp Paradis added: "It is a real headache for us.
"I am ringing up centres all over the country. Our drivers are really travelling out.
"We are ringing Chesterfield, Bradford and London just to get them rehomed.
"Just lately it has become really bad. It is getting harder and harder to get the animals in to a centre."
Anyone who wants to find out more about adopting a pet should call (01482) 341331.
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by Gary, Nr Hull
Monday, November 24 2008, 5:39PM
“I think we are animal lovers.
Try locking your wife and your dog in the boot of your car for an hour. Guess which one will be pleased to see you when you let them out.”
by Spike, Hull
Thursday, November 20 2008, 11:19PM
“Cats?? Grrrr fleabitten scraggy mewling scroungers that only attach themselves to humans for free grub and a free warm, they have no sense of loyalty, no thanks mate for the food, just scoff the lot and move onto the next mug daft enough to have one. While people complain about dog mess at least you can keep a dog in, bloody cats can clims, mess in the your garden, scratch up seedlings, attack birds, fish, pah £99 quid for a scraggy moggy, I'm with Ben Dover on this one.”
by Kay, Hull
Thursday, November 20 2008, 10:03PM
“You wouldn't have to hear the little old lady's dogs yapping if you got yourself a real job you lazy sad B######!
Think you should put yourself forward for the HDM slimmers article!”
by ben (the butcher), dover
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:54PM
“that dog in photo 2 hes the one id start with , hes the sort who a little old lady owns and ties out side the post office when your cashing your giro, and yaps all the while your in the queue, or even worse when your trying to put a bet on and its out side yap ayap ayap ayap, at least now we have to smoke outside it could be given a crafty backheel when its infernal yapping got on yer nerves.”
by Kay, Hull
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:31PM
“Ben, Dover
So how about chopping YOU up and feeding you to these animals may feed them for a long while, but then again maybe not - your insides are rotten.”
by hannah, hull
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:22PM
“theres some proper sick people in the world =[”
by ben, dover
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:15PM
“kay,hull ,the bnp threads on the other side, comparing animals to people,dear me,i think a good cull is in order, and send the meat to the starving children ,two birds with one stone, puts the animals out of their misery and food in the third world stomachs, kitty curry, followed by spit roast rover, problem is people have gone soft, in a pack in the wild animals get rid of the scrag, beggars belief, bet bear grylls would be able to russell (get it) up something lovely with that ginger one in the photo.”
by Kay, Hull
Thursday, November 20 2008, 7:55PM
“WHERE'S THIS CREDIT CRUNCH???
What a feable excuse to kick out your petsand children - people make me sick!
That goes for some on this site - poor defenceless animals and some can only think of starving people in places like Africa ect..
CONTRACEPTION is the key there. How many years do we have to help these people who won't stand up to their own Governments!
Dole wallers get vet bills FREE
and pet food costs less than OUR food.”
by KB, hull
Thursday, November 20 2008, 7:49PM
“tony...i completely agree - have never really been an animal lover let alone a dog lover but i now can't imagine ever being without my gorgeous 10 month old bulldog. You have to have one to understand....”
by sophie, outskirts of hull
Thursday, November 20 2008, 6:53PM
“ok fleabitten dogs drink dirty water just like african children so there are some similarities. what i mean is there should be enough give in everybody to adopt a dog, cat and even sponser a child and fyi its not just africa that has starving kids. and mucking out is on tuesdays idiot.”