The Blue Cross response to RSPCA announcement

The RSPCA has announced plans to take in fewer unwanted pets at its national centres.

The charity wants to prioritise animals rescued by its inspectors from cruelty and neglect.

Last year The Blue Cross took in nearly 7,000 stray and unwanted animals and 64 per cent of these were given up voluntarily.

So far this year, 69 per cent of the animals admitted to our adoption centres have been given up voluntarily.

We will continue to help people who can no longer look after their pet and we do not judge owners who choose to give up their pets for rehoming.

There are many different reasons why people give up their pets, from a relationship breakdown to illness or redundancy and owners are often devastated to have to part with their animal.

If they have come to a point where they don’t believe they can care for their pet any longer, the most responsible thing they can do is to pass it on to a charity that will rehome it carefully.

The Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton said: “Many thousands of animals are given up every year by loving owners who simply can’t cope for a variety of reasons.

“We recognise that changing circumstances may require difficult decisions to be taken, however The Blue Cross will always help people who make the responsible choice to give up their pet and will continue to do all that we can to help as many abandoned animals as possible find permanent, loving new homes.”