The RSPCA urgently needs more foster carers to help free up spaces in its animal centres – as shocking new statistics reveal 700 rescued animals are waiting for a space.

The charity estimates it’s spending an eye-watering £26,000 a week on private boarders for the temporary care for hundreds of rescued animals – including dogs, cats, rabbits, small furry animals, exotic pets, birds and farm animals – as its 59 rehoming centres are "full to bursting". 

In response, the RSPCA has launched an urgent new drive to recruit more fosterers to care for animals temporarily in their own homes, while supported by the RSPCA – to help ease the pressure.

The shocking new statistics come as the RSPCA's annual rehoming campaign – Adoptober – continues to shine a light on the work of the charity's animal centres, and the rescue pets looking for a second chance of happiness.  

Brian Reeves, RSPCA's head of volunteering, said: “We're struggling. Our centres are full to bursting at the moment which means we're having to use vital charity funds to pay for animals to be cared for with private boarders and have a long waiting list of animals waiting to come into our centres where they can start their search for a new home. 

“We're in the middle of an animal crisis and we can only see it getting worse over the winter months as the cost of living crisis bites. It's absolutely vital that we free up as much space in RSPCA centres now, so we've got room for animal victims of neglect and cruelty we rescued in the coming weeks and months - and more fosterers are going to be crucial in achieving that. 

“Getting pets into loving foster homes - especially ahead of the winter months - will be a lifeline to our frontline officers and the animals in danger we need to rescue.”

In total, 691 animals are currently being boarded in temporary care with private boards due to a lack of space at centres - including 120 dogs, 144 cats, 112 rabbits, eight small furry animals, 38 exotic birds, 35 birds and 102 farm animals, because there is not enough room in "jam-packed centres".

Capacity problems at RSPCA centres are being exacerbated by an increase in calls to the RSPCA post-pandemic, a slowdown in rehoming, and a surge in the number of animals coming into the charity's care - as cost of living pressures continue to bite.

The animal welfare charity has 14 national rehoming centres across England and Wales, with a further 45 centres run by RSPCA branches, which are separate charities in their own right. 

Collectively, the centres rehomed an incredible 26,945 animals last year, however:

• The number of animals rehomed is down - by 8% compared to 2020, and by a whopping 31% compared to 2019.
• As rehoming slows, the average length of stay for an animal in RSPCA care also increased; for dogs by 9.4% - from 85 days in 2020 to 93 days in 2021 - and for rabbits - from 104 in 2020 to 117 in 2021, an increase of 12.5%.
• More, people are seeking to rehome or give up their pets - the charity's Giving up a Pet article has seen page views surge by 42% already this year, compared to the whole of last year.

The RSPCA currently has 350 foster carers registered, with even more supporting the 145-strong network of RSPCA branches - but the charity urgently needs more, as these problems mount.