RSPCA Cymru says it needs more adopters as centres struggle for space
Ahead of a popular period for getting pets the charity are encouraging owners to consider adoption
The RSPCA is appealing for more people in Wales to adopt or foster animals as it faces rising numbers of cases involving multiple animals at a single address.
The charity said it recorded 241 incidents involving 10 or more animals between January and August this year, compared with 344 for the whole of 2025.
Gill Hillan, from RSPCA Cymru’s media team, said the increase was putting pressure on the charity’s limited capacity.
“Our centres are always full. It’s one in, one out, basically,” she said.
She said cost-of-living pressures, animal hoarding and breeders becoming overwhelmed could contribute to situations where animal numbers “spiral out of control”.
The charity is using its Adoptober campaign to encourage people to consider giving rescued animals a home.
Hillan said some animals rescued from large-scale cases needed extra behavioural or medical support before they were ready for adoption.
She urged people who could not commit to adoption to consider fostering instead.
“It’s an amazing thing to do,” she said, adding that fostering offered more flexibility for people unable to permanently rehome an animal.
The RSPCA said people struggling to cope with the number of animals in their household should seek help early.
Hillen added that the charity’s message was simple: “Adopt, not shop,” with many rescued animals waiting for a second chance.