Charity raises concerns at growing number of pet abandonments
Bath Cats and Dogs Home is working with hundreds of dumped animals in a bid to find them a forever home.
Last updated 12th Jan 2026
A charity rehoming stray pets in Wiltshire says it's concerned about the number of animals being abandoned by owners.
Bath Cats and Dogs Home (BCDH) takes in between 250 and 270 stray dogs annually, providing much-needed care and support for deserted animals.
BCDH CEO Rachel Jones said: "Sadly, many of those seem to have been purposely abandoned, so under 40% of those are claimed by their owners."
Helping abandoned dogs recover
One such dog who the expert team at the centre is working with is Rex.
The six-year-old Border Collie is like many other dogs, enjoying a cuddle and loves chasing after a ball.
But he was heartbreakingly abandoned by his owners, who left him tied to a tree, before he was found and taken to the BCDH centre.
Fortunately he was in a relatively good condition and is working with the behaviour team to prepare for rehoming, learning to sit, wait for his ball and to lay down.
But Rachel revealed that many abandoned dogs arrive at the home in poor health, facing issues such as serious medical conditions, injuries, or behavioural problems from neglect.
“Some dogs are under-socialised with people and other animals, but our expert behaviour team works to give them the time, love, and care required to help them thrive in future homes,” she said.
The growing demand for rehoming
Beyond caring for stray dogs, Bath Cats and Dogs Home also helps pets handed in by owners who can no longer care for them and works with the RSPCA to support animals rescued from cruelty or neglect.
The rescue supports over 700 animals each year through rehoming efforts and outreach programmes.
Rachel emphasised the pressure this can put on their operations and explained how they aim to support struggling pet owners in the community to keep animals in loving homes when possible. This includes help with vet bills or food expenses.
Fundraising and adoption
Running these services costs the rescue centre between £2.5 million and £3 million annually, entirely funded through donations and fundraising.
The centre is at full capacity, with Rachel urging anyone wanting to support the rescue or adopt a pet to visit their website at www.bcdh.org.uk.
For those considering adopting rescue pets, Rachel dispelled concerns, saying: “People often worry that rescue dogs might be ‘broken’ but many, like Rex, are perfect and just waiting for their forever homes.”
She explained how the team assesses and rehabilitates each dog to ensure they are ready for adoption.
On adoption day, new families receive full guidance about their new pet’s needs, along with ongoing support.
Hearing updates from adopters is one of the most rewarding parts of the process for the team, Rachel added: “When we get photos, videos, and updates about how the dogs are settling into their new homes, that makes it all worthwhile.”
More information about adoption and donations can be found on the Bath Cats and Dogs Home website.