Urgent call for adoptions at animal rescue centre

Nicola Walker says RSPCA centres have seen an "absolute swamp" of dogs coming into their care

An animal rescue centre is urging people to consider adoption so it can free up "vital space" for more animals.

A representative from the RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre in Wimblington, Cambridgeshire, has said the centre has been struggling with the amount of dogs that need rehoming.

The RSPCA had about 1,646 dogs in its care across England and Wales in July - its highest number on record.

Nicola Walker from the RSPCA said: "In July, we saw an absolute swamp of dogs coming in to us.

"We had some large-scale cruelty cases and, as a result, it meant we've taken on hundreds of extra dogs. That's on top of what we've already got."

With centres all full, some dogs are being housed in private boarding, which the charity states costs it around £650,000 a month.

"It's the quantity of dogs at the moment - we only have so much space in our national centres," she said.

Dray is a two-year-old Cane Corso crossbreed who has been at the centre since October 2024

Ms Walker said RSPCA centres across England and Wales are "really struggling" with the amount of animals coming into their care.

She said that at Block Fen specifically there are a number of dogs that need an "extra special" home, which requires an owner who can dedicate time into training and nurturing them.

She said: "They've come from some really horrific backgrounds. The history of where they've been and what they've had to go through means they need time and they need to build up trust with humans.

"As a result, they are with us for longer. So the longer they are with us, there's less space for other dogs to come in."

The centre's longest resident, a two-year-old Cane Corso crossbreed called Dray, has been at the site since October 2024.

"He is gorgeous... he is a big boy but he also has a big heart," she said.

The charity is urging people to adopt animals and said prospective owners will be supported throughout the process.

She added: "The best part of it is just seeing the dogs, cats or guinea pigs going off to a new home."