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RSPCA rehoming centres reach 'crisis point'
The RSPCA is facing a rehoming crisis, with more animals coming into their care than being adopted.

Animal intake now 42 per cent higher than adoptions.

Over 40 per cent more animals arrived into the care of the RSPCA last year than were adopted, according to new figures, leaving hundreds of animals in emergency boarding, awaiting a place at a rehoming centre.

The charity, which reports that it is facing a 'rehoming crisis', found new homes for a staggering 28,000 dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets in 2023 through its rehoming centres and independently-run branches. However, that figure was far fewer than the 40,000 plus animals that arrived at the shelters across England and Wales. 

With many animals having to stay in temporary, emergency boarding until a space opens up for them at a rehoming centre, it means that intake is 42 per cent higher than the number of animals being rehomed.

“Our rescue centres are jam-packed, and we’ve been seeing more animals coming to us than we are rehoming,” explained Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places for rescued animals. “We urge anyone considering adding a pet to their family to step in and help by giving a rescue pet a second chance instead of buying from breeders,”

According to Karen, the charity's rescue centres are 'full-to-bursting', leading to a bottle-neck in which staff are having to care for rescued animals at emergency boarding kennels and catteries.

“Last year, the RSPCA took in over 40,000 dogs, cats and other animals, but only around seven out of 10 of those - 28,208 - were rehomed,” she continued. “This increasing discrepancy between animal intake and rehoming numbers is a worrying trend, and means so many animals are still waiting for a home”.

The figures come as the RSPCA launches its annual Adoptober rehoming campaign, which calls on animal lovers to adopt a pet from a rescue centre instead of buying from a breeder to help ease the pressure.

The drive celebrates the benefits of rescue pets, highlights the many animals that are waiting to find their perfect ‘forever’ match and dispels myths about rescue pet rehoming. 

Image (C) Shutterstock.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."