RSPCA Rochdale struggling to deal with the high number of abandoned animals

Beauty the dog currently being helped by RSPCA Rochdale

The RSPCA animal centre in Rochdale Town Centre has had another very busy year. The centre is currently full and is still dealing with abandoned animals on a daily basis.

Located on Redcross Street, the RSPCA is currently looking after 75 cats, seven rabbits, seven guinea pigs, one hamster and one dog.

Branch Manager, Jean Spencer said: “We are at the point at the minute were we are at capacity with the amount of animals that we have to suit the amount of staff that we have. It never stops and we have people coming in to us with animals on a daily basis.”

Whilst Rochdale Online paid a visit to the animal centre yesterday (Friday 21 November), one stray dog was brought in, an inspector was looking for cats to be kept at the centre and Jean was speaking to a couple about taking in their dog after an incident yesterday.

“We are about helping the community and helping re-house animals but it isn’t easy and we are at the point at the minute were we are struggling,” added Jean.

In an example of work undertaken by the team, Jean was called to an incident yesterday involving two dogs fighting. One of the dogs was badly injured which has now resulted in the dog not being able to be returned to its owners. The dog will now spend some time at the RSPCA centre before being fostered by Jean until a new home is found for her.

“It’s not that the owners want to get rid of her but the two dogs that had the fight just can’t be together any more because they are scared of each other so now we are stepping in to provide that help and support,” said Jean.

It currently costs around £500,000 a year to keep the centre running with Jean and her team relying on fundraising and donations from residents to help with that.

The Rochdale animal centre is a self-funding branch of the RSPCA and is responsible for raising money locally to support animal welfare work.

“This isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle choice,” said Jean. “Every year we seem to get busier than the previous year and we don’t get funding from the government or from any outside sources so we really do rely on fundraising to raise money and donations from outside sources.”

The next fundraising event to be held by the team at the animal centre is a coffee and cake day on Saturday 29 November.

“We just want people to get behind us because at the minute, I am worried,” said Jean.