Text and pictures by Laura Blaha
Britons have a deep love for animals, with an increasing number of households welcoming furry pets into their homes. However, despite this bond, the issue of pet overpopulation throws a cloud over the well-being of these beloved pets.
The overpopulation of homeless pets, which in many cases are the result of abandonment, has serious consequences for animal welfare. Shelters are at or above capacity in some cases, resulting in overcrowded conditions where animals may not receive proper care. This can lead to health problems, stress and, in some cases, euthanasia due to lack of space and resources.
In the UK, there are roughly 13.5 million dogs and 12.5 million cats. London, with its dense population, contributes significantly to these numbers according to the UK Pet Food Association.
But not all of them are lucky enough to be in a friendly home with their adoptive families. Many of them are abandoned every year for various reasons and the organisations are under stress because of the number of abandoned animals.
Abandoned animals
Last September, a cat charity in London says it was “overwhelmed” by the number of in cats left at their shelters, according to the BBC.
The Celia Hammond Animal Trust said that a shortage of vets due to Brexit meant that people were struggling to get their animals neutered, adding the cost-of-living crisis is also having an impact.
It said more cats were coming in than were being rehomed every week., including a “black and white cat, Chips, who was discovered in a plastic bag”.
In 2023, there was an 11% increase in abandoned animals compared to the previous year, according to the Pet Keen. This is partly because the Covid pandemic led many people to adopt pets for the first time.
As life returned to normal post-pandemic, pet owners found it challenging to maintain the same level of care, resulting in an 11% rise in abandonment rates in 2023 compared to 2022.
“Up to the end of October, there have been 17,838 reports of abandoned animals to the RSPCA. Without a chance in the trend, this is projected to reach 21,417 reports at the end of 2023. This is a sharp, 32.9 percent increase compared to the 16,118 reports during the whole of 2020, as well as the 17,179 reports in 2021 and 19,645 in 2022,” Dogs Today Magazine reported.
What can we do to understand the situation better and help
Kate Werner from PETA UK, a non-profit organisation committed to recognising and defending the rights of all animals spoke with Holloway Express about this issue:
Her advice for people looking for a pet? “Apply for an animal that desperately needs a home.”
If you can’t adopt but you still want to support
It is not always possible to adopt due to situations such as, lack of space in your flat, allergies, and long working hours. But if you still want to help and have the opportunity to help and be surrounded by animals because you love them, there are many options.
Volunteer with animal organisations
This is a great option as your efforts will directly contribute to the animals in need. Volunteering also offers you a chance to develop new skills and gain experience, very useful for those considering a career in animal care or veterinary sciences.
Additionally, it fosters a sense of community and connection, allowing volunteers to meet like-minded individuals and form lasting relationships.
Some organisations that you can volunteer for are:
All Dogs Matter. They rescue and rehome dogs, offering volunteer roles such as dog walkers, foster carers, and event volunteers. This charity helps reduce the number of stray and abandoned dogs in the area.
The Mayhew Animal Home, it’s based in North West London, and it provides roles in animal care, veterinary support, and community outreach. Applications are available online.
RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital in North London is another crucial player, requiring volunteers for animal care, administrative support, and fundraising efforts. This hospital plays a vital role in treating injured and abandoned animals. Volunteers can apply via the RSPCA website.
The Blue Cross in Hammersmith offers volunteer roles in animal care, fostering, and assisting in charity shops, all of which are vital to their operations. Volunteer positions are uploaded on their website.
StreetVet London offers veterinary care to pets of the homeless. They seek volunteers, including vets, vet nurses, and non-clinical support roles, to help manage this service. Applications can be submitted through their website.
Konstantinos Vergonis, 26, a marketing assistant who volunteers regularly walking dogs, said: “I would love to be able to commit to an adoption because I feel that the animals help me more than I help them. I haven’t made the decision to adopt because I live in a shared flat, plus I sometimes spend a lot of extra hours at work. That’s why I come here in my spare time. It makes me feel very good.”
Make a donation
Animal welfare organisations in London rely heavily on donations to ensure the health and good health of their animals. They enable vital veterinary treatment, such as operations and vaccines, as well as the maintenance of shelters with nutritional food and safe environs.
Rehabilitation programmes help mistreated or neglected animals and increase their prospects of adoption. Funds also assist community education on safe pet ownership and emergency response initiatives for animals in need.
Operational assistance guarantees that these organisations may continue their critical work uninterrupted. Overall, gifts have a practical impact on improving the lives of animals.
Visit dog or cat cafes
These cafes rehome and rescue abandoned animals.When you come to these places not only you are going to be contributing to the well-being of the animals but you can also enjoy their company while having a coffee surrounded by them.
Whiskers & Cream is a cat cafe located on Holloway Road that not only offers this service but also shares the names of all of their cats and their stories.
If you are a student and visit during not peak times, you have a discount during the week offering 10% off for admission.
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