A North East dog rescue charity has warned it is close to full as the number of people coming forward to adopt dogs is “at a standstill” amid the cost of living crisis.
Maxi’s Mates Rescue and Rehoming Centre, which is based at Carlin Howe Farm in Dunsdale, which is an approved centre for retiring greyhounds, has just a couple of empty kennels.
“What we’re seeing is a decline in adoptions,” said trustee Jane Galliford. “People are wanting to surrender dogs. We get lots of calls daily for lots of reasons. Some people are moving and their landlords won’t let them have dogs, couples are splitting up or people are going back to work and don’t have anyone to look after a dog. There are various reasons.
Read more: 100kg of explosives used to bring down large section of former steelworks
“When we post on social media about the dogs we have for adoption people are saying they are being careful with their money and they can’t make that outlay. It’s ok adopting a dog but they have to have food and there are vet bills which can be expensive.
“At the moment we have 33 dogs in kennels and lots of people wanting to give us dogs but we can’t because we have no space. We have to have some space for strays but we only have two or three kennels left at the moment.”
The RSPCA warned this week that the most urgent threat to pet welfare at the moment is the cost of living crisis.
A survey by the charity found 78 per cent of pet owners said they think the cost of living will impact their animals, 68 per cent expressed concern that the cost of care was increasing, and 19 per cent are worried about how they will afford to feed their pets.
Almost a third of pet owners in the North East are worried about being able to afford their animals.
And there has been a 50 per cent rise in the number of online searches for “giving up pets” from April 2021 to April 2022.
Jane, who set up Maxi’s Mates in 2012 alongside Michelle Cooper to raise, is encouraging anyone who is thinking about adopting a dog to reconsider what breeds they will consider as smaller dogs remain popular.
Read more: Darlington Council reveal what will be built on site of former Sports Direct building
She said: “ When we have a small dog then we can usually rehome them. But the kennels are full because medium and large dogs are overlooked. They are not getting rehomed. Strays are not getting claimed. We have long lists of dogs waiting to come in.
“We want people to reconsider what type of dog suits them and to think about other breeds.
“A rescue dog is a rescue dog and it is rewarding. Sometimes people want small dogs but they can be so energetic and hyperactive. Walking with a lovely, graceful greyhound by your side is a pleasure. They are such lovely dogs and they sleep for most of the day.”
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel