HEREFORDSHIRE animal lovers are encouraging the adoption of homeless pets following the publication of grim statistics by the RSPCA for the region that covers the county.

Figures for the West and Wales region reveal a disturbing increase in animal neglect – a trend county pet lovers are being urged to buck by giving a home to abandoned pets.

Across the region there has been a 73% increase in animals abandoned from 828 in 2006 to 1,434 in 2007. Nearly half of these were cats with 657 abandoned last year.

Doreen Kitchener, a trustee of the Herefordshire branch of the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), said: “These figures don’t shock or horrify me, they just want me to raise more money. As long as we can breathe we will continue to do everything we can -we will never give up on the animals.” In 2007 it cost the Herefordshire branch of the RSPCA more than £100,000 to find new homes for animals, provide medical treatment and support the work of local RSPCA Inspectors and animal collection officers.

Last year the branch re-homed 57 dogs, 76 cats and more than 120 other animals, mainly rabbits and birds.It also helped treat 103 cats, dogs and rabbits and carried out 77 cat neuterings.

“When you look at the dogs in kennels you can see the love that they have got to give in their eyes,” said Mrs Kitchener.

“They have been gorgeous, loving dogs that have ended up on the wrong side.” RSPCA inspectors and officers responded to 2,000 calls in Herefordshire, involving more than 9,000 animals, last year.

More than 700 of the calls were complaints about suspected ill treatment or suffering, and involved around 900 dogs, 300 cats and 600 small animals. Like the national organisation, the Herefordshire branch of the RSPCA is entirely self-financing.

CASE STUDY.

LARGE dogs often find difficulty in finding a new home but one Herefordshire household is still finding the adoption of one of the larger breeds rewarding five years on.

Heather Vincent and her partner gave a home to Jo Jo, a three-year-old German shepherd, after he had been in kennels for 10 months.

“When we had him he was very thin and we didn’t know his background apart from the fact that they said he was very nervous. Since then he has absolutely blossomed,” said Ms Vincent, from Belmont, Hereford.

Jo Jo is now eight and although he needed time to adapt to moving from kennels in Dinedor all has worked out well.

“It was quite difficult in the beginning but since we got him settled he has been wonderful,” she said.

“He is a lovely animal. He needs quite a bit of exercise which keep us fit as well.” Miss Vincent recommends anyone interested in adopting a dog to approach the RSPCA.