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Rescue Homes Reject Strays as Resources are Stretched to the Limit

With an 11% rise in abandoned dogs, rescue home resources are being over stretched and one abandoned dog is being put down every hour.
Home, Lifestyle - 27 April 2010   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Clarissa Baldwin, CEO of the Dogs Trust| Login to Download

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  News Hooks:

Research shows that in the last year more than 107,000 dogs were abandoned in the UK which is an 11% rise on the previous year. With rescue home resources over stretched statistics have shown that one abandoned dog is being put down every hour in the UK.

From May 4th the RSPCA will turn away ‘Non RSPCA Generated’ stray or unwanted pets from animal shelters to cut costs and focus on policing animal cruelty partly due to reduced donations as a result of the recession.

In order to combat this growing issue The Pedigree Adoption Drive is launching a hard-hitting campaign in a bid to continue its work to highlight and raise money for the thousands of dogs abandoned every year in the UK.

. Introduction:

Research shows that the economic climate is increasing the number of stray and abandoned dogs with one dog being put to sleep every single hour in the UK. The RSPCA recently stated that they are no longer able or prepared to accept abandoned dogs due to financial restraints meaning there has never been a worse time for abandoned dogs.

But why are so many dogs being abandoned?

Joining us in the studio is the spokesperson for the Pedigree Adoption Drive, Clarissa Baldwin OBE, who is Chief Executive of the Dogs Trust and author of the 'A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas' slogan.

. Suggested Questions:

How many stray or abandoned dogs are estimated to be in our area?

Approximately how many dogs from our region are put to sleep?

Why do people abandon dogs and what are the consequences?

What happens to a dog when it is abandoned?

What is the Pedigree Adoption Drive and how can people help with the issue of stray and abandoned dogs?

Where can we find out more information?