On September 16, 2024, the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) published an alarming report on animal abandonments during the summer of 2024. The figures show a critical situation that persists in the association’s 64 shelters across France. 7,951 animals were taken in during the months of July and August, the majority being cats (two thirds) and dogs (one third).
SPA: Mass abandonments despite awareness
This assessment is a real alarm signal for the association. While awareness of animal abandonment is regularly highlighted, shelters have continued to take in a high number of residents. The main cause remains the massive abandonment of animals as the summer holidays approach. Although the figures are comparable to those of summer 2023, the worsening of certain factors, such as the drop in adoptions, makes the situation even more worrying.
Indeed, adoptions fell by 5.8% compared to the previous year. This is the second consecutive year that adoptions have recorded a decline, following a 5.2% drop in 2023. This decline is accentuating the saturation of shelters, which are unable to free up enough space for new abandoned animals. Jacques-Charles Fombonne, president of the SPA, deplores the fact that this situation is blocking the turnover necessary for taking in new residents.
128: that’s the number of animals that passed through the doors of our shelters every day this summer. Some of them were abandoned on the road, tied to our gates or left to wander…
Between July 1 and August 31, 7,951 animals were collected by our 64… pic.twitter.com/EpmfCje9yd
— SPA France (@SPA_Officiel) September 18, 2024
Shelters overloaded by abuse cases
In addition to the abandonments, the SPA had to take in 700 animals seized for mistreatment. This massive seizure, requested by the authorities before the summer, has taken up a large part of the places in shelters, further limiting the capacity to accommodate abandoned animals.
Faced with this overwhelming observation, the SPA has launched several initiatives to boost adoptions and relieve pressure on shelters. As part of its open house to be held on October 5 and 6, 2024, the SPA is highlighting the benefits of cohabitation with a pet, particularly in terms of the physical and mental health of adopters.
This campaign, entitled “Adopting encourages physical activity”, is part of the major national cause 2024, dedicated to the promotion of physical and sporting activity. The objective is to show the multiple benefits of having an animal, both for physical and mental health. The campaign posters show dogs accompanying their owners on hikes, thus highlighting the importance of daily exercise with your four-legged companion.
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