HORSHAM People for Animal Welfare and Support is dealing with the most animals surrendered at any time since the animal welfare organisation formed almost three years ago.
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There are more than 40 animals in need of homes, including 18 in Horsham pound and others in foster care.
Horsham PAWS assistant secretary Carolyn Stow said the inundation of cats and dogs was unexpected with the group having experienced an all-time low of animals surrendered earlier this year.
Animals surrendered in the past week include four staffordshire bull terriers from one household and six six-week-old puppies.
Ms Stow said there were also several adult cats with kittens surrendered, including a mother and four kittens on Wednesday.
There are 11 dogs, three older than 10, and about 25 cats in need of homes. The increase in animals has also highlighted a shortage of foster carers.
Ms Stow said Horsham PAWS had eight registered foster carers.
She said puppies had been fostered out in pairs but it still left 18 animals in the pound.
People can private message the group on Facebook or email hpaws@live.com.au to express interest in becoming a carer. Ms Stow said she was unsure why there had been a sudden increase in animals.
But she said the cost to keep a pet, including food and vet bills, could force people to surrender their animals.
“Particularly if people are struggling financially, I think that might be why we’re seeing multiple animals from the one home,” she said.
Ms Stow said people were becoming better educated about the pound and surrendering their animals.
But, some people were still abandoning unwanted pets.
Ms Stow said Horsham Rural City Council rangers had found a pregnant, emaciated English pointer tied to a deckchair and caught in a fence near Green Lake.
She said Horsham PAWS had taken the senior dog, named Charity, into foster care.
Charity is now physically healthy and in need of adoption.
Ms Stow encouraged people to desex their pets and said people who wanted to surrender their animals should try to rehome them themselves first.
Horsham Rural City Council animal rehousing officer Wayne Lane said the cost of living could make it harder for pet owners.
“A lot of people are finding it hard these days – something’s got to go,” he said.
Mr Lane said Horsham PAWS volunteers were doing a great job.
“The job they’re doing – they can’t be congratulated enough,’’ he said.
Ms Stow said people could see some of the animals up for adoption at Horsham Petstock tomorrow between 10am and noon as part of a meet and greet.
“These events are great opportunities for people to meet some of the animals available for adoption and to gain information about them – their personalities and special needs,” she said.
Ms Stow said people could visit the Horsham PAWS Facebook page for more information on adopting a pet.
