28 April 2008 - Green MEP for the South East, Dr Caroline Lucas, has urged pet owners who abandon their animals to think twice, after it emerged that RSPCA staff rescued 23% more abandoned pets in 2007 than in the previous year (1).

The charity has reported that it rescued nearly 150,000 animals last year – 7,347 of which were abandoned pets, compared with 5,959 in 2006. Dr Lucas, who is also Vice President of the RSPCA, called the findings ‘shameful’.

She said: “I am shocked that this level of animal cruelty persists, despite warnings from animal charities that abandoning pets is illegal and causes untold suffering. It is thanks to animal centres like the RSPCA, which provides a crucial animal rescue service without any Government funding, that these animals have any chance of survival.

“When you choose bring a pet into your home, you assume a clear responsibility for its wellbeing. The dumping of unwanted pets is a prosecutable offence, as is inflicting cruelty and unnecessary harm.

“At a time when people are more aware than ever of the unacceptably high levels of animal cruelty worldwide, it beggars belief that in the first four months of 2008 alone, 2,621 abandoned animals had already been rescued in the UK.

Dr Lucas continued: "If people find their pets too much of a handful, or decide that they can no longer care for them, they can visit specialist facilities for advice, such as RSPCA centres and animal shelters. Furthermore, action must be taken to prevent unwanted breeding between pets.

“Ultimately though, those considering buying animals to keep as pets or on farms must think carefully about the realities of animal ownership, and ensure they have the capacity and desire to care for their animals."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1) “Rapid rise in dumped pets” – BBC News Online http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7370163.stm

Caption: Caroline meets manageress Jenny Wells at Brighton’s RSPCA shelter