The SPA took care of 44,199 abandoned animals in 2022, almost equaling a 2019 record, including 27,940 cats, it announced to AFP on Monday.
In addition to small felines, the Society for the Protection of Animals last year housed 13,373 dogs, 160 equines and 2,726 new pets or NACs (rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, etc.), as well as farm animals, in its 63 shelters and SPA houses.
How many animals adopted in 2022?
On the adoption side, 41,186 animals found a new master, including 26,024 cats, 12,646 dogs and 2,389 NAC.
This is “
a number of adoptions close to the 2019 record and an increase of 2.6% compared to 2021
”, counted the SPA in a press release.
Read alsoAdopt a dog from a shelter: what you need to know
Fight against the “animal-object”
The SPA is also concerned about having to deal with an emerging difficulty in recent years, that of dogs with special needs.
They represent about 20% of its residents and it is difficult to entrust them to masters without experience.
"
The acquisition of certain fashionable dogs with specific needs (such as the
Australian Shepherd
, the
Belgian Shepherd
, the
Malinois
, the
American Staffordshire terrier
...) requires special knowledge and attention to which not all masters are not necessarily able to answer
.
Animal advocates also deplore the upsurge in NAC abandonments, up 34% since 2019.
"
These favorite animals are the very embodiment of the fight against the animal-object
", considers the SPA which " fights
for the law on animal mistreatment,
prohibiting the sale in pet stores of dogs
and cats from 2024, i.e. extended to these animals
.
“
This activity report suggests an important year in 2023 in terms of challenges to be met.
The fear of the consequences of inflation on the resources of the SPA - which lives only on the generosity of the public - and on the activity of the shelters is present
”, worries Jacques-Charles Fombonne, its president.
Read alsoIn Toulouse, justice creates a center dedicated to animal abuse
23,800 reports of animal abuse
The year 2022 has also been intense on the animal abuse front.
The SPA processed 23,800 reports in 2022, an increase of 52%.
To fulfill this mission, the SPA has notably recruited more than 250 investigating delegates in order to strengthen the territorial network.
The SPA's Animal Protection and Investigations legal departments were thus able to save 4,400 abused animals.
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