"When times get tough, people examine their finances to see where they can make cutbacks and unfortunately pets are an easy target,” says Chester Ho, brand manager of Pedigree. “While some simply cannot afford to feed their animals, others need to move to cheaper accommodation that is not pet-friendly.”
According to The Animal Anti-Cruelty Organisation in South Africa, there has been a 30% increase in animals being abandoned from 2008 to 2009 in the northern suburbs of Cape Town.
In response to this sign of the times and escalating issues, Pedigree has decided to support African Tails for a second year, throughout 2010, by donating food on a regular basis to feed the rescued dogs.
South Africa is not the only country experiencing a rising abandonment of man's best friend, according to figures from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), 57% more animals were abandoned in the UK last year than in 2007 (The Guardian, 29 April, 2009).
Yael Fialkov, spokesperson for African Tails comments, “We have experienced an increased volume of calls over recent months from pet owners who, in these tough economic times, can no longer afford to support their dogs. Unfortunately, owners have been forced to give their pets up for adoption and have asked African Tails to care for and re-home their animals. We urge homes not to abandon their dogs but rather to call their closest animal rescue organisation that can responsibly re-home their dogs.”
He adds, “We rely on donations but with many people watching their cents, funding is becoming increasingly difficult to come by, so the extended support from Pedigree could not have come at a better time.”
The calendar is now available on the charity's website www.africantails.co.za.
