Abandoned animal rehoming on the up (From Messenger Newspapers)

The Sanctuary for Abandoned Animals has rehomed more than 200 animals

1:00pm Sunday 12th August 2012 in News

THE number of animals being offered new homes is increasing at the Society for Abandoned Animals (SAA), with more than 200 animals rehomed already this year.

The Trafford animal sanctuary at Bartfoot Bridge on the Sale/Stretford border has already rehomed 13 dogs, 162 cats and 36 rabbits this year.

This time last year, just 3 dogs, 111 cats and 32 rabbits had been offered a new home.

Sanctuary Manager, Tasha Woest, says this is good news as more animals are being admitted to the sanctuary on a daily basis.

She said: “We’re really pleased that more people across South Manchester are choosing to adopt abandoned animals. Our priority is to ensure the animal will fit in the new owner’s lifestyle and we can also offer a wealth of advice about caring for a new pet.”

Earlier this year the sanctuary opened its newly refurbished kennels, helping to boost the number of dogs the charity can care for.

“We’re delighted that we can offer sanctuary to more dogs as there are so many animals that need our care,” said Tasha.

“We take in animals for all sorts of reasons and with more people needing to downsize or rent we’re taking in pets at an increasing rate. It’s good news for all our supporters and hardworking volunteers that these unwanted animals are finding good homes.”

The support of volunteers has been vital to the SAA’s rehoming success. A big rise in kittens has put pressure on the foster carers as young animals need to be fed by hand several times a day.

So far this year, 177 cats have been admitted to the SAA, as well as 11 dogs and 49 rabbits.

Just last week, two 8-week-old kittens, Fonz and Ralph (pictured) were found by a dog walker, abandoned in a cardboard box at the side of the canal in Stretford.

Now, they are just two of more than a dozen cats waiting to be rehomed.

The sanctuary is open to the public every day, except Wednesdays, from 12pm to 4pm, when you can pop in to see some of the furry critters awaiting a new home.

For more information visit saarescue.co.uk