The SPA sounds the alarm, the number of animal abandonments in summer increases while adoptions decline

The Society for the Protection of Animals has announced its summer results: nearly 8,000 animals were abandoned between July and August in France. Figures continually increasing over the summer period but also over the rest of the year since Covid 19.

The Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) announced in mid-September that it had collected 7,951 animals this summer. A very high number of abandonments illustrating the impact of the holidays and which confirms the reputation of France: holder of this sad record in Europe. But since the Covid 19 epidemic, the toll has continued to grow. “Since 2021, the number of animal abandonments has never been higher. This is one of the consequences of the health crisis and confinements: many French people have bought an animal, without measuring the consequences and responsibilities that arise from such an act.”, alarms Jacques-Charles Fombonne, the president of the SPA.

Same observation in the premises of the Boulonnais SPA. Employees and volunteers are overwhelmed by abandonments. “We welcome a lot of dogs but we also have a lot of cats, something we didn’t see a few years ago before covid” explains Gilbert Pilloy, president of the SPA of Boulogne sur mer. This situation This concern is mainly linked to a change in the behavior of pet owners. “On can explain this phenomenon of abandonment by a total change in society since covid. Attitudes have changed towards domestic animals. People buy and throw away without really thinking about the fact that an animal is a life, for which we are responsible and which we must take care of for 15 to 20 years. It’s a big commitment.” adds Gilbert Pilloy.

Despite the law against animal abuse, passed in 2021 and which prohibits the sale and transfer of cats and dogs in pet stores since January 1, 2024, the situation remains dramatic and is setting in with new reasons for abandonment. SPA volunteers talk about inflation which leads to an increase in veterinary costs or an increase in the cost of food. Other causes: fashion effects. Species like staffs, bullies and malinois, very sought after but also very strong and massive, are abandoned by their new masters, unable to educate them. These dogs are particularly affected by acts of mistreatment, a phenomenon that is also on the rise. Indeed, according to the SPA, the Judicial Animal Protection unit has observed an explosion in requests from the authorities (+35.5% between 2019 and 2024 in July – August), with an average of three to four reports per day. “Our teams are exhausted and must remain on the front lines to take care of all these animals in distress who have swelled the ranks of our residents throughout the year.” alert Jacques-Charles Fombonne, the president of the SPA. This unfailing welcome is all the more complex as adoptions have fallen by almost 6% compared to last year.

Two systems have been put in place to deal with this situation: a national call number to report animal abuse, 3677. This telephone line is open 7 days a week. In addition, the 64 shelters and SPA houses offer an open day on October 5 and 6, 2024 to encourage adoptions and reduce abandonments.