TEARS Animal Rescue has put a pause on new intakes at its shelters, as the non-profit organisation says its facilities are filled to capacity.

This recent development follows an ongoing decrease in animal adoption, TEARS said in a statement on Monday.

Operations manager, Mandy Store, says the decision to no longer admit rescued or surrendered animals to its facilities was a last resort. Store says unless adoption numbers increase, the decision will remain in place.

TEARS Head of Fundraising, Lara Van Rensburg, says there’s a broader crisis within the animal welfare sector, as adoptions are not keeping pace with the rising number of homeless pets.

“It’s a harsh reality that over-burdened shelters and veterinary clinics are dealing with as the non-profit sector has to face and fund the full brunt of the pet homelessness crisis. We call on local government and corporate social investment donors to mobilise funding and resources to implement a mass sterilisation solution that includes better policing of pet ownership by-laws.”

Van Rensburg says irresponsible pet owners will continue the cycle of illegal breeding and inflict suffering on companion animals, if not held accountable.

Sustainable adoption as an option

TEARS is now urging interested pet owners to adopt. With about 363 pets in its care, 75% are adoptable. It says the remaining 25% are under rehabilitation due to illness, injury, abuse, or are too young for adoption.

Since 1999, TEARS says it has found homes for more than 22 500 pets. But in recent years, adoption rates have dropped by 40% year-on-year. Kennel Manager, Katie Butler, says this is in part due to lack of sustainable adoptions, with many pet owners unable to feed their pets.

“While we’re pushing for more people to adopt, we don’t want to encourage adoption if it’s not something that will be sustained. TEARS has recorded a massive increase in the number of pets being surrendered because of affordability or due to the limited pet-friendly rentals available to families with pets.”

TEARS has encouraged the public to adopt shelter pets and support their mission through donations and contributions to their charity shops, which generate 30% of the organisation’s funding. The TEARS adoption process includes completing the online Adoption Application, visiting TEARS and passing the home check. Or donations can be made to:

Acc Name: TEARS

Bank: Standard Bank

Current Bank Account: 072062886 / Branch No: 051001

Donations to TEARS are tax deductible, with donors receiving a Section 18A tax receipt.