South Godstone Animal Centre 'stretched to breaking point'
AN RSPCA centre says it is at "breaking point" as soaring vet bills, falling adoption rates and more neglect take their toll.
South Godstone Animal Centre in Eastbourne Road is battling a £96,000 vet bill and, with a 20 per cent drop in adoptions, is struggling. The situation is made worse by the number of badly treated animals being brought to the centre every day.
This comes in the wake of the RSPCA announcing a 23.5 per cent rise nationally in the number of people convicted for cruelty and neglect of animals.
South Godstone deputy manager Tony Shaw said: "It costs over £1,500 a day to run South Godstone Animal Centre and we rely entirely on donations from the public. It's a big ask in the current economic climate but we are at breaking point.
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"We recently had two cats brought in who had been dumped in a cat box on the back of someone's truck. One was very ill and needed an operation to remove a five pence piece embedded in her intestines. It saved her life but has cost us £800.
"It is bills like these that we need help with. If people could just donate a pound it would help to pay for the operation."
In 2011, it was estimated that the UK population owned 16 million cats and dogs. Amber Batson who works at Priory Vets – which has practices across Reigate and Banstead borough – is concerned with the rising level of neglect and cruelty. She said: "We are aware of increasing numbers of people having difficulties in paying for animal care across the region, as well as some animals suffering from neglect as owners struggle to afford appropriate care.
"We recommend that despite financial constraints it is important to maintain preventative healthcare such as worming and vaccination.
"To help with this, in the forthcoming months we have offers including discounts on vaccines and neutering. We also offer free advice through our website, our nurse clinics and regular local talks that are open to all."
- If you're concerned about the welfare of an animal, call the RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999. To contact South Godstone Animal Centre call 0300 123 0741 or e-mail southgodstone@rspca.org.uk
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