17,000 animals rehomed by the RSPCA across Wales in last decade
The RSPCA has revealed that it has found loving new homes for more than 17,000 animals in a decade across Wales, with the remarkable rehoming feat revealed to mark its 200th birthday in 2024.
The charity has come a long way since 1824 – when founding members of the charity met in a coffee shop in London determined to change animals’ lives, creating the then SPCA and sparking an animal welfare movement that spread around the world.
Now – as the RSPCA enters its landmark 200th anniversary year – the charity wants to inspire a one million strong movement for animals, as the charity aims to “create a better world for every animal”.
Across Wales there is a team of dedicated RSPCA rescuers who save animals and investigate cruelty while also offering welfare advice and help to pet owners in need.
Wales is also home to 11 independent RSPCA branches who rehabilitate and rehome rescued animals – ranging from cats and dogs to small furries like hamsters and guinea pigs. There are also two RSPCA national animal centre’s RSPCA Newport Animal Centre and RSPCA Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre as well as the RSPCA Newport Adoption Centre, based inside the Pets at Home superstore on Docks Way.
Many will have endured horrendous suffering but with the care of dedicated staff and volunteers they will be helped to recover before they are found loving homes.
The latest available figures show that in the ten years up until the end of 2022 these centres have found new homes for a staggering 17,669 animals. Additionally they have helped pet owners in the county by providing:
- 40,041 neuters (to stop unwanted pregnancies and promote responsible ownership)
- 24,944 microchips – to help reunited lost pets with their owners
Nationally the charity has rehomed 405,839 pets in need of a new home since 2013 thanks to its network of 140 branches and animal centres across England and Wales – which equates to 11 animals every day.
Also during that time 615,000 animals have been patients at the charity’s hospitals for anything from life-saving operations to welfare treatments and a staggering 1.7 million vet treatments have been carried out.
Animal neglect and abandonment in the UK is at a three-year high. In 2023, the RSPCA received 72,050 reports about animal abandonment and neglect – higher than in 2022, 2021 and 2020.