RSPCA are reporting more animals being abandoned as credit crunch bites

May 6 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Heswall News

AS THE credit crunch starts to bite, animals are being abandoned more and more across Wirral.

This problem is also affecting the whole of the North of England as the number of animals abandoned has soared by over 67%.

The animal welfare charity in the north dealt with 3,372 dumped animals in 2008, compared with 2,009 in 2007.

That’s an average of nine animals abandoned every day of the year.

Nationally, the number is up by 57% with a shocking 11,586 animals dumped.

One of the many animals abandoned in Wirral was an elderly Bichon Frise who was found tied to a tree with a piece of rope in Eastham Ferry Woods, Eastham.

She had badly matted fur on her stomach, feet and back legs.

On veterinary examination she was found to be suffering from mammary tumours and decayed teeth.

The dog was found late last year and died a few months later.

A puppy was also found shivering in a rocky, snow-covered cavity and three tiny puppies so small their umbilical cords were still attached were dumped on a doorstep.

The RSPCA is facing pressure on two fronts as the society tries to cope with the increase in workload caused in part by the recession, while also facing its own financial pressures. The fall in property prices is expected to reduce income from legacies and the recession is also likely to reduce donations to the charity.

RSPCA North regional manager Alan Wolinski said: “Now more than ever we need the public’s support.

“It is a challenging time for the society, but more importantly it is a crisis for the animals.

“If people have pets they cannot care for, for any reason, then help and advice is always available from the RSPCA.”