The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (7 July) urged local residents to ‘ask for help’ if they find themselves struggling to adequately care for their pets during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Member’s intervention came as RSPCA Cymru said it was "bracing itself" for a steep rise in the number of abandoned animals in the coming months. Last year, the RSPCA reported 1,133 cases across Wales between June and August. The organisation has already taken in 3,492 abandoned animals across the UK since the Coronavirus lockdown restrictions were introduced.
Speaking of the situation, Janet said:
“It is deeply sad to see a marked increase in animal abandonment since the start of the Coronavirus lock down period. If you are struggling to properly care for your pets, please remember that you are able to ask for help.
“Support services stand ready to help in any way they can. That our pets remain happy and healthy, in a safe and caring environment, should remain a priority throughout this most challenging period.
“In my conversations with animal welfare specialists, it has become clear that the sudden change in our everyday routines could have negatively affected our pet’s behaviour. I urge residents to access the digital tools published by the Companion Animal Welfare Group for Wales, should they have noticed a change.
“By all accounts, this has already been one of the toughest years in the RSPCA’s history with an unprecedented demand for their services. I wish to thank everyone at the organisation, as well as our nation's veterinary staff, for their continued hard work throughout the COVID-19 crisis.”
