The SPCA takes in an average of 600 unwanted animals every month. That means we receive over 20 new animals every day. At any one time we may be housing 15 lost dogs at our premises, waiting for owners to claim them back, but only one third on average are claimed following advertisements in the press.
In 2008, we took in 8,738 animals. These included unwanted pets (cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters) and strays (cats and dogs). 1,550 of the animals we received were pedigree dogs. On average, only 30 dogs, 38 cats and 29 small animals are adopted from the SPCA each month.
Because SPCA is the only animal welfare organisation taking in unlimited numbers of animals, it is an uphill task to find a home for each and every one. In view of the large number we receive, an adoption criteria is necessary, based on health, temperament, age and space. Many animals are not suitable adoption - those that are newborn, sick, injured, old or aggressive, for example. However, even healthy animals have to compete with one another for a place in our rehoming centre. Sadly, the sheer number of animals we receive and the low level of adoptions mean a large number of animals are put to sleep each month.
Even moving to larger premises would not be the solution to the root cause which is pet abandonment, the proliferation of unsterilised strays, no restrictions on commercial importation, breeding and sale of pets, and restrictive rules on the keeping of pets in housing board flats.
The SPCA is therfore appealing to pet owners and those who find a stray animal, to take on the responsibility of finding a new home for any animal they cannot keep, rather than bring it to the SPCA, where the chances are slim that the animal will be selected for adoption (i.e. we have too many animals to find homes for already).
Why? Well, for every animal that is rehomed by an owner or member of the public, we will have an extra space for a new arrival. And with less pressure on space, there will be a better chance that one of our animals can be selected for adoption.
Up to 300 unwanted or abandoned pets end up at the SPCA every month. If every pet owner could do this, the SPCA would not be in the position of having to end an animal's life because it is part of a surplus.
Help us save lives:
1. Rehome an animal (pet or stray) you cannot keep.
2. Don't buy pets on the spur of the moment.
3. Have your pet sterilised.
| 2005
|
10,342
|
| 2006
|
9,706
|
| 2007
|
9,487
|
| 2008
|
8,738
|
| 2009
|
7,678
|
| 2005 |
2,890 |
5,574 |
1,381 |
| 2006 |
2,727 |
5,309 |
1,215 |
| 2007 |
3,002 |
4,716 |
1,314 |
| 2008 |
2,970 |
4,117 |
1,141 |
| 2009 |
2,540 |
3,329 |
1,126 |
|
