ARCHIVED - Pet adoption up in Alicante as Covid leads to rise in abandoned cats and dogs

339 animals were discarded or rescued in the first seven months of 2021, with 206 finding new homes on the Costa Blanca

The number of abandoned animals in Alicante who found new homes between January and July of this year is higher than the 203 pets adopted in 2020.

In just seven months, a total of 339 animals were rescued, according to data collected by the city's Department of Animal Health and Protection, with 176 dogs and 31 cats since finding a new home through the Society for the Protection of Animals and Plants, which is in charge of animal collection and rehoming in Alicante.

The city council is concerned that "there has been an increase in the number of abandoned and rescued animals during the pandemic" and is warning that pet abandonment, neglect or abuse carry fines of up to €18,000.

"When we decide to share our life with a pet we not only acquire a commitment to the animal itself but to society, that's what responsible ownership is all about, guaranteeing animal rights and fulfilling the duties that we have as part of this society", says councillor for animal health and protection.

She adds that one of the objectives of the city council is to "promote citizen awareness to fight against abandonment" and promote responsible animal adoptions, "for which we thank all those people from Alicante who have already taken the step of adopting".

But it's not just cats and dogs that find themselves out in the streets or in need of rescue. Of the 206 animals taken into the city's shelter, 54 were birds, exotic pets and equines.

Some of these are harder to find loving families for, but according to the Animal Protection Service, age and size play also play a big part in an anmial's chances of being adopted.

One large Argentine dogo called Bull has been in the shelter for over four years and Pequeñín, an elderly tabby cat, has been looking for a home for five years.

IMAGE: Ayuntamiento de Alicante