The charity fears these “myths” are contributing in direction of decrease rehoming charges – at a time when the numbers adopting pets is already collapsing.
The RSPCA’s month-long Adoptober rehoming marketing campaign launched this month, selling adoption and highlighting the various animals the charity has ready to seek out their excellent match.
Earlier this month the charity revealed that extra persons are relinquishing pets than adopting – leaving its rescue centres “full to bursting” with undesirable pets.
This follows a collapse in rehoming charges; which have fallen by 34% from three years in the past – when 39,178 animals have been rehomed. In 2022, solely 25,535 animals have been rehomed by the RSPCA.
Sam Gaines, head of companion animals on the RSPCA, mentioned: “Those of us with adopted pets understand how rewarding it may be to share our lives with them, and watch them thrive after being given a second probability.
“Our Animal Kindness Index revealed that almost two thirds of people think we should adopt rather than shop for pets, yet the reality is often quite different. Sadly, we’re now really struggling to find loving homes for the growing number of animals in our care.”
As a nation of animal lovers, what’s stopping us from adopting?
Many of the frequent causes individuals select to not pursue adopting a rescue based mostly are based mostly on considerations or ‘myths’ that may be simply debunked.
Research from the RSPCA of their nationwide RSPCA centres discovered that:
82% of had heard the parable that “black cats are unlucky”
90% had heard the parable that rescue animals at all times have behaviour issues as a result of they’re traumatised
55% had heard the parable that rescue animals could have difficult medical histories and due to this fact larger vet payments
73% had heard the parable that every one animal centres are simply filled with the identical breeds of animal
100% had heard the parable that individuals imagine in the event that they purchase a puppy or kitten, it will likely be simpler to coach them correctly from the beginning than a rescue animal
100% had heard the parable that rescue centres gained’t let somebody undertake as a result of they youngsters
60% had heard the parable that rescue animals include complicated and unknown medical histories
Sam Gaines, myth-busts the six commonest causes individuals select to not undertake a pet:
Myth One:
I don’t know the animal’s historical past in the event that they’re a rescue animal
Busted: “60 p.c of RSPCA adoption centres have reported that not figuring out an animal’s historical past is a purpose individuals give for deciding to not undertake a rescue animal.
“It is true that if an animal has been abandoned or found as an injured stray, we may not know exactly what they have experienced in their life before being rescued. However, when they’re assessed, treated and rehabilitated in our care, our animal care teams form bonds with each animal and are able to provide an honest and full evaluation of the animal they’ve come to know and work with. This is far more information than owners would usually get with an animal bought from a stranger or online.”
Myth Two:
If I purchase a puppy or kitten, not less than I can practice them correctly from the beginning
Busted:“Many individuals imagine that getting a puppy or a kitten is easy, however offering all of the alternatives and experiences animals have to develop as much as be a contented and wholesome individuall isn’t at all times a simple job!
“It takes an enormous quantity of endurance, data and care to assist young pets study all of the sights, sounds, smells, environments, individuals and animals they should share their lives with..
“Countless individuals incorrectly imagine that the behaviour of rescue animals is unattainable to alter or that they’re tough to coach, and remarkably one hundred pc of our animal centres have been confronted with this fantasy as a purpose to buy slightly than undertake, not less than as soon as.
“However, the reality is that when adopting a rescue animal, care teams will have usually already started teaching new skills and behaviour and will also be able to advise new adopters on what methods work best – including the animal’s favourite tasty treat! So adopting actually puts you ahead of the training game.”
Myth Three:
Rescue animals at all times have behaviour issues as a result of they’re traumatised
Busted: “Sadly, some individuals do assume that rescued animals are ‘broken’ as a result of they could have skilled trauma, cruelty and neglect.
“Ninety p.c of RSPCA centres reported that it is a generally cited purpose individuals give for not desirous to undertake a rescue animal.
“But every animal is different – even those animals who have experienced the worst cruelty can bounce back and enjoy life as much as any other animal.”
Myth Four:
Rescue centres gained’t let me undertake as a result of I’ve youngsters
Busted:“We know that pets is usually a great addition to a household, and empathy in direction of animals is one thing all youngsters ought to be taught.
“Shockingly one hundred pc of RSPCA centres say that they hear the parable that we gained’t allow them to undertake a pet as a result of they’ve youngsters.
“In reality, the RSPCA has a particular perform on our Find A Pet adoption web site the place potential adopters can choose to view animals which are appropriate to be rehomed with youngsters.
“Every animal is different and if an animal’s behaviour indicates that they are able to live with children then we’d love to discuss rehoming options!”
Myth Five:
Rescue centres are simply filled with the identical breeds that I don’t need
Busted: “RSPCA analysis exhibits that 80 p.c of our nationwide centres have reported individuals not desirous to undertake as a result of they’re filled with breeds of pet they don’t assume they’ll need. But it couldn’t be farther from the reality, we have now an enormous variation of animals in search of houses. Sadly, cruelty and neglect doesn’t discriminate between breeds, and due to the character of our rescue work, we frequently have all types of kinds of animals coming into our care, and needing new houses.
“It’s also important to remember that every animal is an individual with its own personality, quirks and character traits. While breed can help highlight how an animal might behave, it is much less important, what’s important is the personality of the individual animal. There are a lot of assumptions that certain breeds behave in certain ways, but breed is never a guarantee for behaviour. You are more likely to find the perfect match and your best friend for life if you look beyond breed and instead look for a personality that matches yours. You can fill in a Perfect Match form with your local branch or centre and they’ll let you know when an animal who matches you comes into their care.”
Myth Six:
You’ve solely bought black cats – they usually’re unfortunate!
Busted: “Black cats are sometimes related to superstitions and a few individuals imagine they don’t look good in pictures which sadly means it may well take longer for a black cat in a rescue centre to discover a home.
“A recent RSPCA survey discovered that 82 p.c of our centres have reported listening to the ‘bad luck’ black cat fantasy.
“In truth, black cats won’t bring you bad luck – but they do need forever home. The colour of an animal’s fur colour makes no difference to how much love they have to give. If you can bring some magic into their lives they are sure to bring some love into yours – so they might just make your lucky day!”
Rescue pets lately rehomed by the RSPCA embody Kodak – who debunks about rescue animals with everlasting behaviour issues.
The young rescue canine discovered himself within the RSPCA’s care and was adopted by a loving household simply in time for Christmas final 12 months, however Kodak’s highway to a without end home wasn’t easy.
