THE Wangaratta RSPCA is having to turn people away who need to surrender dogs due to few adoption applications being received for the dogs they currently have.
"We have had an overwhelming number of dogs come into the shelter for various reasons in the past few months," Foster co–ordinator Nicole Oats said.
"These are all loving dogs that just need a second chance with a family that will show them love, kindness and acceptance."
Dogs come into RSPCA care for various reasons – they may have been removed from an unsafe environment, surrendered by their owners, or strays that never find their way home.
"From the minute they walk in our door we are preparing them for adoption, we start with basic medical care, flea, worming vaccination and health checks," Nicole said.
"They are fed high quality food, given a warm, safe place to sleep and lots of love and gentle encouragement to shine.
"A shelter is a stressful place for an animal and we are often understaffed and over capacity, but we do our best to work through behavioural issues taking time to understand each dog's personality so we can match them to a suitable forever home they can thrive in.
"They are then de–sexed and prepared for adoption, sometimes spending weeks waiting for their forever person to find them."
The Wangaratta RSPCA staff are passionate and often tears are shed when one of the dogs walk out that shelter gate one last time into their forever home.
"It's not because we are sad to see them go, they are tears of joy that we have made a difference to that one dog," Nicole said.
RSPCA Victoria have raised the issue that cost of living increases may have on pet owners and said that there is no shame in surrendering a pet if they find they can no longer provide appropriate care.
RSPCA Victoria has not experienced an increase in surrenders during the pandemic or post lockdowns as people return to office–based work, however, the animal welfare organisation is aware that a rising cost of living may impede the ability of some pet owners to properly care for their pets and may result in more animal surrenders.
RSPCA Victoria's Head of Operations, Tanya Drakopoulos, said that while the decision to surrender a pet can be extremely difficult, it means providing a loved pet with a second chance in a new home.
"No one decides to bring an animal into their lives anticipating they will need to surrender them," Ms Drakopoulos said.
"We understand that life can be unpredictable and while it can be difficult, sometimes the decision to surrender a pet is the best outcome for both owners and pets.
"RSPCA can assist by finding new homes for animals where they can continue to thrive and live happy, healthy lives."
RSPCA Victoria practices a judgment–free surrender process and will never turn away an animal that ends up at the doors of one of its five shelters across the state.
If pet owners are struggling, they are encouraged to ask family and friends for help or to contact the RSPCA.
Wangaratta RSPCA are keen to welcome new volunteers to help look after the dogs, cats and small animals who find themselves in care and encourage people to contact them on (03) 5722 2874.
If you have room in your home and heart to adopt one of their gorgeous dogs, please apply via rspcavic.org.
Wangaratta RSPCA's source code is BR100934 with the following dogs just some of the ones available now: American Bulldog, female, 10 months, 956000014963723, 'Lucy', Irish Wolfhound mixed, female, 1 year, 956000014517567, 'Chilli', Staffordshire bull terrier mixed, female, 1 year, 956000015017800, 'Dancer', Kelpie, male, 4 years, 982000363440979, 'Bob' and Heeler mixed, female, 2 years, 956000010804084, 'Tily'.