Carmarthenshire dog rescue centre full as breeders fail to sell

An animal rescue centre has said it is “bursting at the seams” after taking in about 400 dogs in June alone.

Many Tears Animal Rescue in Cefneithin, Carmarthenshire, said the number of dogs needing to be rehomed was increasing each month.

It is believed to be due to a drop in demand, coupled with an increase in people breeding dogs.

The centre also said many people could no longer afford to keep their pets due to the cost of living crisis, with the RSPCA adding that it had seen a spike in abandonments.

Wave is 12 weeks old and is one of the hundreds of dogs at the centre – she was rescued from a private breeder and has minor leg problems which are being treated.

Stephanie Asals, who works at the centre, said stories like Wave’s were becoming all-too common.

“At the moment, once one dog goes out another one comes in. We’re always bursting at the seams, but now so more than ever.

“We’re seeing dogs come in younger than they’ve ever been before, because the market has been oversaturated so we’re getting loads of dogs from breeders who can’t sell a litter or ex-breeding dogs.

“We’re getting people who have gotten their dogs during Covid and they can’t handle them anymore, so the fight is endless.”

The rescue centre took in 100 dogs last week alone and Ms Asals said it was becoming more common to have an influx of dogs all at once.

Last year across Wales and England, the RSPCA received reports of more than 16,000 abandoned dogs, and saw a three-year high in incidents of animals being abandoned.

It said this was due to people struggling to cope during the cost-of-living crisis.

Joe Biston has fostered about 15 dogs for the rescue centre over the past two years, and said more people need to do the same.

He said this allowed the animals to get into the “routine of normal things like TV, food, being around people, and getting them used to being in a house so they’re ready when they do leave us”.

RSPCA Cymru said: “We understand that the cost of living crisis has had an impact on people’s finances and some people may be struggling to care for their pets.

“But in the tough financial climate, we’re doing everything we can to keep pets in loving homes, and support owners.”

It added that it had committed £1.5m to “crisis measures”, as well as a cost of living hub, dedicated phone line and pet food bank partnerships that gave out 1.5 million meals last year.