This Is North Devon
07:00 - 28-August-2008
INCREASING numbers of animals are being abandoned in North Devon as pet owners struggle to cope with the credit crisis.
The Holsworthy, Bideford and District branch of Cats Protection has said it is "sinking" under the huge number of kittens being handed in or dumped in the area — and believes animal agencies across the area are facing similar crises.
Treasurer and fosterer Cathy Barber said: "It is just like the 1980s all over again. People are having to move out of their homes because of the state of the economy and the first thing to be chucked out are the kittens, dogs and pets.
"The waiting list for animals wanting to come in is full and we are inundated."
Cathy said the group was approached by one heartbroken couple from Torridge who had to move into rented accommodation and could not take their kitten with them.
While some people are devastated at having to give up their pets as they can no longer afford to keep them, Cathy said others don't care what state the kittens are in and are trying to make money by selling them.
She said: "We have run a couple of free neutering campaigns over the past couple of years.
"There are still people selling kittens for £10 and people out there who seem to be breeding kittens to make money but it is impossible to make a profit out of a kitten."
She said: "People are this year much worse off and we are in a poor area anyway. People are tightening their belts and pets are the first to go.
"Usually if we advertise offering them to a good home, the phone is constantly ringing but it has not happened at all this year.
"We have had calls saying animals have been dumped. Some get run over, others are attacked by dogs. The situation is really upsetting."
A month-long free neutering campaign is being run by the Holsworthy, Bideford and District branch of Cats Protection for pets in the postcode areas of EX21, EX22, EX38, and EX39 in September. For full details call 07983 209737 or 07751 413576.