DSPCA shelter at full capacity, with nearly 250 animals now waiting for adoption
These animals include 120 dogs, 63 cats, 43 rabbits, 13 guinea pigs, two snakes and two donkeys.
It comes as the shelter has received more than 300 surrender requests so far this year from people wishing to rehome their pets.
To raise funds, the animal welfare charity has today launched its "Furrever Friends" plush toy collection, which includes a variety of animals, from dogs to cats, rabbits and reptiles.
The collection aims to reinforce the charity's message that adopting an animal should be a well-considered decision that fits each person's lifestyle.
Each "Furrever Friend" also comes with an educational leaflet offering guidance on responsible pet adoption and care for each animal.
Head of dog operations at the DSPCA, Tanya Clarke, said the charity sees "a lot of cases of pets being surrendered because families weren't fully prepared or aware of the commitment involved."
'Our 'Furrever Friends' plush toys provide a way for people, especially children and families, to engage with the idea of pet ownership in a responsible, thoughtful manner before making that big decision.
'We want to ensure each pet that is adopted from our shelter finds its forever home and the funds and awareness raised through this initiative will help us reach our goal and continue to care for as many animals in need as possible, as well as uniting families with the perfect pet that suits their lifestyle," she added.
The toys are designed to showcase that a pet requires care, attention and commitment, highlighting key factors to consider before adoption, such as species, temperament, and lifestyle.
They can be purchased at the DSPCA's website, with all funds going directly towards the charity's work in rescuing and rehoming animals.
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