Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now my understanding is that the RSPCA is facing increased
(00:03):
numbers of pets being surrendered at the moment. Joining us
on the show to tell us a little bit more
about the situation is RSPCA NI Operations Manager Charles Gilliam.
Good morning, Charles.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning, Katie. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Yeah, really good? Thanks so much for your time this morning. Charles,
what is this? Yeah, what's the situation at the moment.
Have you got increased numbers of people trying to surrender animals, Katie?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yes, we have. We've got I think we've got city
odd dogs pending surrender. We absolutely chuck a block at
the moment, and we have people just pitching up with
their dogs and wanting wanting to surrender on the day,
but we have to assess them. We have to have space. Obviously,
there's so much.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Involved, Charles, talk me through. You know just how full
you guys are there at the moment at the shelter.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I've got space for approximately fifty odd dogs at the moment,
I think we're sitting on fifty five our dogs, so
we've we've had to double up some of them where
we can. Some of some of the kennels are unfortunately
needed repair. So we're doing as best as we can,
as quick as we can to get them fixed. We've
also got dogs out on foster as much as we
(01:19):
can to foster cares or a great, great help to us.
But it's obviously, you know, people have got their own
lives to live as well, so it's not always not
always an easy one for them to take on extra animals.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Yeah, so tell me why are additional people? Do you
know why there is an increased number of people trying
to turn up and surrender their animals, Katie.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
I'm going to put a lot of it down to
cost of living. People just can't afford to have their
pets anymore. A lot of cases come in where the
animal needs urgent veteriny equip veterinory treatment. They've obviously been
to a vet, they found out what the cost is
going to be, and it's just too much for them. So, yeah,
we see the animal, You see the animal coming desperately
(02:04):
needing vetny attention, they can't afford it. We faced with
the agonizing choice, what do we do because we don't
want to see the animal suffering?
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Oh goodness, may that's terrible, Charles.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
It's a difficult one.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, So like how often you know, like you said before,
that people are turning up, you know, sort of without
calling first. They're just turning up and they're just wanting
to surrender their their animals. How often is this happening?
A three?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Four times a week? Possibly? Hord to put a number
of I came back from leave on Wednesday last week,
got back to work on Thursday. There were two people
on Thursday.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Loan wow, Charles, you know how like what does the
RSPCI then do, Like what steps have you got to
be able to enact? Because I guess you can't take
every animal.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
We can't, Katie. So what we do is we will
refer them to other rehoming agencies in case they've got space.
Some of the pounds will actually take a surrender on
as well, and that sometimes gives us a bit of
breathing space because we take animals from the pound as well.
So those dogs and cats that have found astrays or
(03:21):
get surrendered to the pound, they get offered to us
as well, so it buys us a little bit of time.
Hopefully we can adopt our the animals we've got on board,
and it's a revolving door. Really as one goes out
there space for another want to come in.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
So in terms of you know, the type of animals
that people are surrendering, is it mostly dogs or are
you receiving cats as well?
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Both, but mostly dogs.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
So what I mean, I know there's a lot of
people listening this morning who might be thinking, I'd like
to be able to help. What can people do if
they are listening and they're in a situation where they
may be able to help out in some way.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
So foster caring is one of the big things. So
as I say, if we're full, and especially if we
have animals in the shelter. So we've got one beautiful
little girl at the moment called Cocoa. She is just
so petrified. We're just desperately trying to find a good
foster home for her. In the meantime, she's a lovely
dog and she's you know, she's she's not a risk
to anybody, but she just sits in a corner and
(04:22):
cowers because they've lost their people. Effectively, they're part of
a family and now that they're in this foreign environment.
So foster caring is one of the big things. Volunteers
helping with dog walking is another massive help to us
because these poor animals sit in their cages. With the
volunteers of help with dog walking, it's an absolute godsend
(04:44):
because they take them out, they exercise them, they let
them run around in the yard, they take them for
a walk down the road. Excuse me, that's you know
that that that relieves that tension for the per animal
as well.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Oh, Charles, me feel really sad. You know that you're
in a situation where you're in undated with you know,
with animals, but also people being in a situation where
they're not able to continue to look after their animals
due to financial issues. I mean, what is your advice
though for people, because I feel like sometimes, you know,
(05:18):
people love the idea of having an animal, but maybe
don't think it through as much as they could or.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Short, Katie, that's one of our big things is to
consider the laugh choice of having an animal. And look,
we want people to have animals because they're just such
great therapy in so many ways, and they're such great companions.
But it really needs some careful thought before taking on
that puppy. But Christmas time, when we adopt out an animal,
(05:47):
we make sure that the whole family comes in, they
meet the animal, we assess the situation to make sure
that they're comfortable. But obviously there's nothing we can do
in terms of the backyard breeding that scenario. People just
go up and buy a puppy and then all of
a sudden it wasn't a great idea and what we're
going to do with this dog now, So considering that
(06:09):
life choice is so important, and then from having gone
down that road, there's a munstitude of stuff. So make
sure you get your dog dsex, make sure it's microchipped,
Train the dog, exercise the dog, make sure your your
ared is secure. That's obviously a lot of the dogs
that come to the pond have escaped. There haven't been microchip,
(06:32):
they can't you know, they can't find the owners, and
then it's it's yet another stray that has to be
dealt with someone along the line.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Oh tell you what I mean. I'm looking on the
RSPCA's website right now and some of the animals that
are actually there available to adopt. And I know, as
you've just spoken about, you know, like you've got to
make sure that you're thinking long and hard before you
go down this path. But there are some of the
most beautiful dogs on there are absolute darlings.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
And one of the things that is difficult for us
because they're in cages and they obviously they become quite
protective of their cage, and so when people walk up
and down, the dogs go often back bar. But once
you take them out, they're completely different creatures. Yeah. Yeah. Piper,
for example, is one of the dogs in the adoption
(07:23):
center at the moment. She's been with us a fairwhile.
I couldn't tell you exactly off the top of my head,
but she jumps and does she turns some assaults in
that cage, She picks up her bowl, carries around and
it's just it's just boreder behavior. But you take her
out and she's a sweet, loving soul.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Oh, I'm just looking at a photo of her, I
think right now, So how long has she been there
with you, guys?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
For She's been with us for quite a while. I
couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but yeah,
she's she's been with us for a good number of months. Katie.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Oh, and look, I know I'm you know, I know
as you as we have literally just spoken about, you
want to make sure that to anybody out there listening
that's potentially even considering adopting a dog or a cat.
But if you are considering it, you know, make sure
that you are doing it for all the right reasons
and that you have indeed got the money to be
able to look after that animal and understand that there's
(08:16):
going to be potentially, you know, other costs involved. But
I tell you what, Charles, there's some beautiful dogs on
this website. I mean even you know, like even looking
at like you've got a little kelpie cross there, Ashley.
You know, for somebody who maybe wants to take a
dog out running with them, that little Ashley looks like
she'd be beautiful dog to have.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
She's lovely, she's a sweet little soul.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Oh look, you know I'm not the best person to
talk to about these things or my husband and I
end up adopting another animal. So I probably need to
stop looking at the at the bitches.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
But we're not I'm enabling inletrig I'm not going to
stand in your way.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Well, and this is the thing, right, you want response
pet owners, and you know if you like, yeah, you
want responsible pet owners. And as you've touched on, it's
such a difficult situation at the moment for you guys
juggling the increased you know, the increased volume of dogs
coming in. I mean, it breaks your heart. It must
be tough for you guys.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It is very tough, and it's tough on a lot
of the staff. We make sure we try and destress
them as much as we can. We've got an EP
system in place for some of the stuff because it's
heartbreaking for them sometimes.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Yeah, it truly is. Well, I tell you, I really
appreciate your time this morning, Charles. And look, if anybody
is out there listening this morning, you're able to help
in some way. If you're able to, you know, to
potentially foster a pet or able to go out and
help with some dog walking. Where can they head you
what's the best way for them to do that?
Speaker 2 (09:53):
So a good start would be jump on our website
and click on the foster kere or the volunteer but
fill in the form. It'll come through to us. We'll
assess it and go from there if I could. We
are running a tax appeal at the moment, and obviously
funding is one of our absolute critical needs. So anybody
jumping on our website and clicking on the donate button
(10:17):
would be an absolute godsend for us.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Well, it is really good to speak to you this morning, Charles.
Thank you very much for your time, and a big
thanks to all of the crew out there at the RSPC.
I know there's plenty of volunteers helping out as well.
Are you guys do a great job.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah, thanks Katie. Just one last thing, Sir, Dan is
the most fantastic ambassador. We have Dan from Brecky yep.
And so I'm not sure if you're aware, but Mix
one O four point nine we've actually dedicated one of
the kennels to you guys. Ah and the resident that
we had in the little dog called DIBBYBBB, was adopted
(10:56):
on the weekend.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Oh how awesome. Well, if Dan doesn't know that, we
will make sure that he knows that is wonderful to hear.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Yes, I haven't actually got to tell them so yet.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
We will know yet, we'll make sure that we pass
that on. Charles. Thank you so much for your time
this morning.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
I really appreciate it, Katie, thank you, and great work
to do there as well.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Thank you. Thanks mate.
Now my understanding is that the RSPCA is facing increased
(00:03):
numbers of pets being surrendered at the moment. Joining us
on the show to tell us a little bit more
about the situation is RSPCA NI Operations Manager Charles Gilliam.
Good morning, Charles.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning, Katie. How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Yeah, really good? Thanks so much for your time this morning. Charles,
what is this? Yeah, what's the situation at the moment.
Have you got increased numbers of people trying to surrender animals, Katie?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Yes, we have. We've got I think we've got city
odd dogs pending surrender. We absolutely chuck a block at
the moment, and we have people just pitching up with
their dogs and wanting wanting to surrender on the day,
but we have to assess them. We have to have space. Obviously,
there's so much.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Involved, Charles, talk me through. You know just how full
you guys are there at the moment at the shelter.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I've got space for approximately fifty odd dogs at the moment,
I think we're sitting on fifty five our dogs, so
we've we've had to double up some of them where
we can. Some of some of the kennels are unfortunately
needed repair. So we're doing as best as we can,
as quick as we can to get them fixed. We've
also got dogs out on foster as much as we
(01:19):
can to foster cares or a great, great help to us.
But it's obviously, you know, people have got their own
lives to live as well, so it's not always not
always an easy one for them to take on extra animals.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Yeah, so tell me why are additional people? Do you
know why there is an increased number of people trying
to turn up and surrender their animals, Katie.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
I'm going to put a lot of it down to
cost of living. People just can't afford to have their
pets anymore. A lot of cases come in where the
animal needs urgent veteriny equip veterinory treatment. They've obviously been
to a vet, they found out what the cost is
going to be, and it's just too much for them. So, yeah,
we see the animal, You see the animal coming desperately
(02:04):
needing vetny attention, they can't afford it. We faced with
the agonizing choice, what do we do because we don't
want to see the animal suffering?
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Oh goodness, may that's terrible, Charles.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
It's a difficult one.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yeah, So like how often you know, like you said before,
that people are turning up, you know, sort of without
calling first. They're just turning up and they're just wanting
to surrender their their animals. How often is this happening?
A three?
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Four times a week? Possibly? Hord to put a number
of I came back from leave on Wednesday last week,
got back to work on Thursday. There were two people
on Thursday.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Loan wow, Charles, you know how like what does the
RSPCI then do, Like what steps have you got to
be able to enact? Because I guess you can't take
every animal.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
We can't, Katie. So what we do is we will
refer them to other rehoming agencies in case they've got space.
Some of the pounds will actually take a surrender on
as well, and that sometimes gives us a bit of
breathing space because we take animals from the pound as well.
So those dogs and cats that have found astrays or
(03:21):
get surrendered to the pound, they get offered to us
as well, so it buys us a little bit of time.
Hopefully we can adopt our the animals we've got on board,
and it's a revolving door. Really as one goes out
there space for another want to come in.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
So in terms of you know, the type of animals
that people are surrendering, is it mostly dogs or are
you receiving cats as well?
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Both, but mostly dogs.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
So what I mean, I know there's a lot of
people listening this morning who might be thinking, I'd like
to be able to help. What can people do if
they are listening and they're in a situation where they
may be able to help out in some way.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
So foster caring is one of the big things. So
as I say, if we're full, and especially if we
have animals in the shelter. So we've got one beautiful
little girl at the moment called Cocoa. She is just
so petrified. We're just desperately trying to find a good
foster home for her. In the meantime, she's a lovely
dog and she's you know, she's she's not a risk
to anybody, but she just sits in a corner and
(04:22):
cowers because they've lost their people. Effectively, they're part of
a family and now that they're in this foreign environment.
So foster caring is one of the big things. Volunteers
helping with dog walking is another massive help to us
because these poor animals sit in their cages. With the
volunteers of help with dog walking, it's an absolute godsend
(04:44):
because they take them out, they exercise them, they let
them run around in the yard, they take them for
a walk down the road. Excuse me, that's you know
that that that relieves that tension for the per animal
as well.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Oh, Charles, me feel really sad. You know that you're
in a situation where you're in undated with you know,
with animals, but also people being in a situation where
they're not able to continue to look after their animals
due to financial issues. I mean, what is your advice
though for people, because I feel like sometimes, you know,
(05:18):
people love the idea of having an animal, but maybe
don't think it through as much as they could or.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Short, Katie, that's one of our big things is to
consider the laugh choice of having an animal. And look,
we want people to have animals because they're just such
great therapy in so many ways, and they're such great companions.
But it really needs some careful thought before taking on
that puppy. But Christmas time, when we adopt out an animal,
(05:47):
we make sure that the whole family comes in, they
meet the animal, we assess the situation to make sure
that they're comfortable. But obviously there's nothing we can do
in terms of the backyard breeding that scenario. People just
go up and buy a puppy and then all of
a sudden it wasn't a great idea and what we're
going to do with this dog now, So considering that
(06:09):
life choice is so important, and then from having gone
down that road, there's a munstitude of stuff. So make
sure you get your dog dsex, make sure it's microchipped,
Train the dog, exercise the dog, make sure your your
ared is secure. That's obviously a lot of the dogs
that come to the pond have escaped. There haven't been microchip,
(06:32):
they can't you know, they can't find the owners, and
then it's it's yet another stray that has to be
dealt with someone along the line.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Oh tell you what I mean. I'm looking on the
RSPCA's website right now and some of the animals that
are actually there available to adopt. And I know, as
you've just spoken about, you know, like you've got to
make sure that you're thinking long and hard before you
go down this path. But there are some of the
most beautiful dogs on there are absolute darlings.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
And one of the things that is difficult for us
because they're in cages and they obviously they become quite
protective of their cage, and so when people walk up
and down, the dogs go often back bar. But once
you take them out, they're completely different creatures. Yeah. Yeah. Piper,
for example, is one of the dogs in the adoption
(07:23):
center at the moment. She's been with us a fairwhile.
I couldn't tell you exactly off the top of my head,
but she jumps and does she turns some assaults in
that cage, She picks up her bowl, carries around and
it's just it's just boreder behavior. But you take her
out and she's a sweet, loving soul.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Oh, I'm just looking at a photo of her, I
think right now, So how long has she been there
with you, guys?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
For She's been with us for quite a while. I
couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but yeah,
she's she's been with us for a good number of months. Katie.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Oh, and look, I know I'm you know, I know
as you as we have literally just spoken about, you
want to make sure that to anybody out there listening
that's potentially even considering adopting a dog or a cat.
But if you are considering it, you know, make sure
that you are doing it for all the right reasons
and that you have indeed got the money to be
able to look after that animal and understand that there's
(08:16):
going to be potentially, you know, other costs involved. But
I tell you what, Charles, there's some beautiful dogs on
this website. I mean even you know, like even looking
at like you've got a little kelpie cross there, Ashley.
You know, for somebody who maybe wants to take a
dog out running with them, that little Ashley looks like
she'd be beautiful dog to have.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
She's lovely, she's a sweet little soul.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Oh look, you know I'm not the best person to
talk to about these things or my husband and I
end up adopting another animal. So I probably need to
stop looking at the at the bitches.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
But we're not I'm enabling inletrig I'm not going to
stand in your way.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Well, and this is the thing, right, you want response
pet owners, and you know if you like, yeah, you
want responsible pet owners. And as you've touched on, it's
such a difficult situation at the moment for you guys
juggling the increased you know, the increased volume of dogs
coming in. I mean, it breaks your heart. It must
be tough for you guys.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It is very tough, and it's tough on a lot
of the staff. We make sure we try and destress
them as much as we can. We've got an EP
system in place for some of the stuff because it's
heartbreaking for them sometimes.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Yeah, it truly is. Well, I tell you, I really
appreciate your time this morning, Charles. And look, if anybody
is out there listening this morning, you're able to help
in some way. If you're able to, you know, to
potentially foster a pet or able to go out and
help with some dog walking. Where can they head you
what's the best way for them to do that?
Speaker 2 (09:53):
So a good start would be jump on our website
and click on the foster kere or the volunteer but
fill in the form. It'll come through to us. We'll
assess it and go from there if I could. We
are running a tax appeal at the moment, and obviously
funding is one of our absolute critical needs. So anybody
jumping on our website and clicking on the donate button
(10:17):
would be an absolute godsend for us.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Well, it is really good to speak to you this morning, Charles.
Thank you very much for your time, and a big
thanks to all of the crew out there at the RSPC.
I know there's plenty of volunteers helping out as well.
Are you guys do a great job.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah, thanks Katie. Just one last thing, Sir, Dan is
the most fantastic ambassador. We have Dan from Brecky yep.
And so I'm not sure if you're aware, but Mix
one O four point nine we've actually dedicated one of
the kennels to you guys. Ah and the resident that
we had in the little dog called DIBBYBBB, was adopted
(10:56):
on the weekend.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Oh how awesome. Well, if Dan doesn't know that, we
will make sure that he knows that is wonderful to hear.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Yes, I haven't actually got to tell them so yet.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
We will know yet, we'll make sure that we pass
that on. Charles. Thank you so much for your time
this morning.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
I really appreciate it, Katie, thank you, and great work
to do there as well.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Thank you. Thanks mate.
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