French animals rescue centres say they have reached “saturation” with abandoned pets this summer, reports The Guardian.
More than 100,000 pets are abandoned to fend for themselves in France every year, more than half of them dumped just before or during long summer holidays when they are often found next to routes heading for the coast or countryside. Last summer, 60,000 pets were dumped, and animal rescuers say the figure is expected to be higher this year.
The Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) raised the alarm last week, appealing for funds to help “saturated” refuges after it had accepted 12,000 animals since the beginning of summer.
“Many shelters are desperately short of space and are expanding their facilities to try to save as many animals as possible. Every year, shelters redouble their efforts to cope with saturation and take in animals in peril. Today, the situation is alarming,” the SPA said in a statement. “We urgently need to save, feed and care for all victims of abandonment and abuse.”
Hundreds of other animal refuges run by associations, including 30 Millions d’amis (30 million friends) and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, have also reported a surge in abandoned pets.