THE RSPCA is facing a rehoming crisis as new figures show that 42 per cent more animals arrived at the RSPCA than were adopted in 2023.

RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre, near Taunton on the edge of the Blackdown Hills, is at or near full capacity, with 94 pets either waiting to be adopted or are being assessed for adoption - leaving countless animals still in emergency boarding waiting for a place at a rehoming centre. 

The charity is launching its annual ‘Adoptober’ rehoming campaign, urging animal lovers to adopt a pet from a rescue centre rather than buying from a breeder to help ease the spiralling rehoming crisis. 

Last year, while the charity found new homes for an incredible 28,208 dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets, that was far fewer than the 40,118 animals that arrived at the shelters across England and Wales. 

Karen Colman, who leads the RSPCA team finding places for rescued animals, said: “Our rehoming centres have reached crisis point and are full-to-bursting, creating a bottleneck where we’re having to care for rescued animals at emergency boarding kennels and catteries.”

The RSPCA hopes its month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign, which launched on October 1, will increase adoption rates across England and Wales.

Karen added: “There’s nothing more heartwarming than a successful adoption, and the wonderful staff at our branches and centres celebrate every time an animal finds their forever home.”

People are urged to visit the RSPCA’s ‘find a pet’ webpage online.