RSPCA defends policy on unwanted pets in UK

The RSPCA defended its decision to take in fewer unwanted pets at national centres.

The charity wants to focus more on caring for animals which have been seized from owners after being cruelly treated.

Since January it has trialled a system where certain branches take in fewer unwanted animals.

The move is partly due to financial pressures during the recession, but also a bid to make pet owners take responsibility.

A spokesman said: "This policy has been operating at a number of centres, in some cases for years but particularly since January with no serious effect.

"Our highest priority is to look after the animals that most need help, the pets and other animals rescued by our inspectors from cruelty and neglect. That is the RSPCA's core aim and that has not changed."

The approach has been officially adopted at the RSPCA's 17 national centres in England and Wales.

It has another 41 regional centres which are independent, and can choose themselves whether to follow suit.

The British Veterinary Association said that it understood the RSPCA's resources were "not limitless" and that its core focus was to prevent cruelty.

A statement on the BVA website said: "We must look to the cause of the increasing number of unwanted dogs, cats and exotic animals.

"The recession perhaps has some impact but there is a growing trend among people to buy animals as status symbols and indeed it is all too easy to take on a pet without realising the responsibilities for the care and welfare of that animal."

Blue Cross chief executive officer Kim Hamilton said: "Many thousands of animals are given up every year by loving owners who simply can't cope for a variety of reasons.

"We recognise that changing circumstances may require difficult decisions to be taken, however, The Blue Cross will always help people who make the responsible choice to give up their pet and will continue to do all that we can to help as many abandoned animals as possible find permanent, loving new homes."

Chief executive officer of the Dogs Trust Clarissa Baldwin said the charity was told about the RSPCA's decision around two months ago.

She said: "It is perhaps too early to estimate the numbers of dogs that will be affected but as the UK's largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust will continue to take in as many dogs in need as possible.

"The numbers of stray and abandoned dogs have largely continued to fall year-on-year - an increase last year was due partly to the shift of responsibility for strays from the police to local authorities - we do not expect to see an increase this year."