The RSPCA are urgently calling for more foster carers to help free up spaces in animal centres following new statistics showing that 700 rescued animals are waiting for a space. 

The charity estimates it is spending an eye-watering £26,000 a week to private boarders for the temporary care of hundreds of rescued animals - including dogs, cats, rabbits, small furry animals, exotic pets, birds and farm animals - as its 59 rehoming centres are “full to bursting”.

Animals are based in private boarding establishments all across England and Wales - including eight in the West Mercia region.

In response, the RSPCA has launched an urgent new drive to recruit more fosterers - who care for animals temporarily in their own home, while supported by the RSPCA - to help ease the pressure.

The shocking new statistics come as the RSPCA’s annual rehoming campaign - Adoptober - continues to shine a light on the work of the charity's animal centres, and the rescue pets looking for a second chance of happiness. 

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Brian Reeves, head of volunteering at the RSPCA, said: “We are in the middle of an animal crisis and we can only see it getting worse over the winter months as the cost of living crisis bites.

"It’s absolutely vital that we free up as much space in RSPCA centres now, so we’ve got room for animal victims of neglect and cruelty we rescued in the coming weeks and months - and more fosterers is going to be crucial in achieving that. 

“Getting pets into loving foster homes - especially ahead of the winter months - will be a lifeline to our frontline officers and the animals in danger we need to rescue.”

One of the many animals in need of a home is Maisie the four-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier-cross. 

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When she arrived at The Holdings Animals Rescue & Rehoming Centre at Kempsey, she had a nasty ear tumour.

But, thanks to the support of the centre's donors, she had had surgery to remove it.

Maisie is now doing well and the team is looking to find her a foster home where she can recover from her surgery.

Ideally, her foster home would become permanent once she’s recovered and been given a clean bill of health by vets.