Animal ‘crisis’ getting worse, claims RSPCA

Helping Yorkshire Poundies, based in Rotherham, works to give abandoned dogs a second chance and help them find their forever homes.

The centre said bills were massively increasing because it had been swamped with appeals to help animals in need and pay for treatment.

“And our vet bills are more than through the roof,” a spokesperson said.

“This week, we’ve already spent £4,000 at the vets in fees.

“We are desperately struggling to keep our heads above water at the moment and we really need your support.”

Despite all of this, the rescue centre said it continues to do all it can to save dogs like a four year-old golden retriever — called Jack (pictured) — who was going to be put to sleep because he was “no longer coping in a home with other male dogs”.

Bought from a puppy farm by his previous owners, the dog was taken in by HYP once they heard about his situation and they are now seeking help from members of the public to help pay for his vet treatment.

“Jack is absolutely covered in old dog bite wounds,” said the spokesperson.

“He’ll also need X-rays on his hips and rear legs.”

Figures from the RSPCA show the need for more foster carers to free spaces in its centres, with 700 rescued animals waiting for new homes.

Brian Reeves, the charity’s head of volunteering, said: “Our centres are full to bursting at the moment, which means we’re having to use vital charity funds to pay for animals to be cared for with private boarders.

“We’re in the middle of an animal crisis and we can only see it getting worse over the winter months as the cost of living crisis bites.

“Getting pets into loving foster homes, especially ahead of the winter months, will be a lifeline to our frontline officers and the animals in danger we need to rescue.”

You can find ways to donate to HYP at tinyurl.com/HYP-donate.