VetPro

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:16 am

If you have a lost/found/abandoned animal in practice you can make an appeal for help on our homepage and in our newsletter – this will enable us to spread the word and help each other out – especially important as many animal rescue centres are over loaded already.
In face the RSPCA has recently reported that 11,586 animals were abandoned last year.
This is more than 30 animals daily.
This is an increase of over 57% compared to the 7,347 animals that were abandoned in the previous year.
Shocking figures I am sure you will agree.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:56 am

Nation’s Oldest Humane Organization Stresses Importance of Supporting Local Animal Shelters.
NEW YORK — The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today estimated that between 500,000 and 1 million cats and dogs in the United States are at risk of becoming homeless as a result of the continuing economic downturn.

“According to national financial estimates, approximately one in 171 homes in the United States is in danger of foreclosure due to the subprime mortgage crisis,” said Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, Executive Vice President of ASPCA Programs and Science Advisor. “And considering that approximately 63 percent of U.S. households have at least one pet+, hundreds of thousands of pets are in danger of being abandoned or relinquished to animal shelters across the country.”

“Economic issues aside, it is estimated that 5 million companion animals enter shelters each year,” continued Dr. Zawistowski. “If you factor in the animals merely in danger of becoming homeless, it could result in an extra 10 to 20 percent increase in relinquishments to shelters. This has the potential to grow into a serious animal welfare issue, and some regions of the United States, like Nevada – where the foreclosure rates are three times the national average – could be hit much harder than others.”

“Everyone is being affected by the current economic crisis in some way, including animals,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Community animal shelters and rescue groups across the country could be seeing an increase in the number of homeless pets they must care for, or a decrease in the donations they rely on to care for those animals. There has never been a better time to support your local animal shelter if you are in a position to do so.”
For more information about the ASPCA and its life-saving work, please visit www.ASPCA.org.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:24 am

THE credit crunch is starting to bite pet owners as more and more cash-strapped people are deciding to say goodbye to man’s best friend.

North dog shelters say they have seen a massive increase in the number of owners who are giving up their pets because they can no longer afford to pay for vets bills or even, in some cases, buy food each week.

As wages fail to keep pace with the increasing cost of food, fuel and mortgages, hard-pressed families are having to make sacrifices to their weekly spending.

And according to Leyla Rutter, chief executive of the Newcastle Dog and Cat shelter, one of the first things to go is the family pet.

She said: “We have seen over the last few months a huge increase in the number of strays coming in and the number of people who come into the shelter and hand their pets over.

“When times get tough financially, a pet, which is usually seen as a member of the family, can become just another added expense that people can do without.”

Between April and August this year the shelter has seen the number of strays being brought in by dog wardens increase by 70 per cent compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, the number of stray animals being reclaimed by their owners has decreased by 34pc.

Even more worryingly, Leyla has seen a dramatic 240pc increase in the number of people coming into the shelter and handing over dogs as well as a 50pc increase in cats.

She said: “People come in and they are quite up-front about the fact that their circumstances have changed and they can no longer afford to care for their pet.”

Leyla believes many dogs become strays because owners can’t afford vet bills but she said their are other options.

She explained: “Pet insurance is a good idea as a few pounds a month is better than one big bill. There is also the PDSA, which can offer veterinary treatment to those on low incomes.”

As some owners give pets up, others are reluctant to take them on, with 36 per cent fewer dogs being rehomed this year.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Sat Dec 27, 2008 8:53 pm

There's no more room at the inn – Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester is full to bursting after the credit crunch has left many owners unable to afford veterinary bills.

Head of animal welfare policy Linda Cantle says the number of abandoned pets has never been higher, with about 500 filling its shelter to capacity because of the credit crisis.

She said: "The credit crunch is starting to hit us quite badly. A lot of animals are coming in because their owners say they can afford to feed and care for them but not the veterinary treatment, that's the biggest reason.

"This year we've seen more cats than ever before. We've got almost 300 dogs waiting to come in and also about 200 cats. We've even got sheep waiting.

"Obviously we care for animals but the only thing we can't give them is constant one-to-one attention which is what so many crave, that's the upsetting thing."

The London Road shelter currently has a wide range of animals, from sheep and chickens, to hamsters and horses, and all three of its shelters, in Godmanchester, London and Heydon, are full. In total all three shelters combined have 750 animals in its care and there are more than 640 animals on its waiting lists. It also has a commitment to taking in strays regardless of its own circumstances.

Linda, 29, added: "There is literally no room at the inn at the moment."

The run-up to Christmas is always a busy time for the shelters as people become busy and stressed with festive preparations, but this year is an extreme, according to Linda.

The shelter has been very successful in re-homing pets, with between 5,500 resettled on average a year. But it is struggling to re-home older cats and dogs – perfect companions because of their love of attention – numbers of which are increasing all the time. About 50 per cent of its cats are over 10-years-old.

Linda said: "Because of the credit crunch, taking on older animals is much more of a consideration now than it used to be. People weren't so concerned about money before. Now I think people are concerned that if they take on an older animal there will be more veterinary bills.

"We've got lots more animals with medical conditions than ever before with animals dumped at vets, and strays with broken legs and heart problems are also a problem. We're having a lot more abandoned than ever before."

This is impacting on the shelter's own vet bills. Add to that the increases in gas and electricity and the cost of running all three shelters in the past two years has gone up by £4,000 leaving the animal charity with a £20,000 bill – and rising. The best advice Linda can give to potential new pet owners is invest in insurance.

>> To find out more visit the website www.woodgreen.org.uk or call 0844 248 8181. Each animal is matched to the lifestyle and environment of any new home. The shelter is open to the public every day between 10am and 4pm, except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:57 am

THE credit crunch is starting to bite pet owners as more and more cash-strapped people are deciding to say goodbye to man’s best friend.

North dog shelters say they have seen a massive increase in the number of owners who are giving up their pets because they can no longer afford to pay for vets bills or even, in some cases, buy food each week.

As wages fail to keep pace with the increasing cost of food, fuel and mortgages, hard-pressed families are having to make sacrifices to their weekly spending.

And according to Leyla Rutter, chief executive of the Newcastle Dog and Cat shelter, one of the first things to go is the family pet.

She said: “We have seen over the last few months a huge increase in the number of strays coming in and the number of people who come into the shelter and hand their pets over.

“When times get tough financially, a pet, which is usually seen as a member of the family, can become just another added expense that people can do without.”

Between April and August this year the shelter has seen the number of strays being brought in by dog wardens increase by 70 per cent compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, the number of stray animals being reclaimed by their owners has decreased by 34pc.

Even more worryingly, Leyla has seen a dramatic 240pc increase in the number of people coming into the shelter and handing over dogs as well as a 50pc increase in cats.

She said: “People come in and they are quite up-front about the fact that their circumstances have changed and they can no longer afford to care for their pet.”

Leyla believes many dogs become strays because owners can’t afford vet bills but she said their are other options.

She explained: “Pet insurance is a good idea as a few pounds a month is better than one big bill. There is also the PDSA, which can offer veterinary treatment to those on low incomes.”

As some owners give pets up, others are reluctant to take them on, with 36 per cent fewer dogs being rehomed this year.

What is the most common emergency over xmas?