A U.K. dog rescue charity has taken in over two dozen dogs found abandoned and roaming the streets of three counties in Wales. Hope Rescue announced in a series of Facebook posts that it rescued at least 27 discarded Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and cocker spaniels over about a week.
"It's been a really shocking case for us, even for our longest-serving staff, we've never seen anything like this," Hope Rescue employee Sara Rosser told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
It all started on Thursday, Jan. 30, when Hope Rescue posted on social media that locals had informed the organization about a dozen "young Labradors and golden retrievers running loose in the lanes." Police and Good Samaritans helped catch a few canines and brought them to the rescue charity.
In an update the following day, Hope Rescue said that it had taken in "nine" female dogs and one male dog that had been loose into their care. The social media post shared that the canines were "underweight" and did not appear to "have had much life experience," despite the females seemingly having had "at least one litter before" their rescue.
In a post on Sunday, Feb. 2, Hope Rescue noted that it took in nine more abandoned dogs in addition to the 15 found earlier in the week. According to the rescue, these dogs had "a few health issues " and required medical treatment. The dog rescue organization shared that one of the older dogs, Charlie, had "high-grade luxating patellas on both hind legs" and possibly "hip dysplasia."
In a post the following day, Hope Rescue revealed that it took in another three abandoned golden retrievers, described as "worried and quite matted." The organization added that the incidents appeared to be related as so many dogs were left behind in such a short time.
"We're really concerned that this may be a large-scale breeder who is now essentially sort of coordinating and dumping across south Wales, which is a huge concern," Rosser said.
"So it would definitely appear that this was a planned abandonment," she added.
She also noted that many of the dogs appear to be under the age of 3, with the majority of abandoned dogs estimated to be around 18 months old. Hope Rescue is optimistic that it can find homes for all the dumped dogs.
"But luckily, with the breeds they are as well, we think they'll be quite popular," Rosser said. "We just need to find those right homes that can support them on their journey."
While Hope Rescue tries to find the origin of the more than 27 abandoned dogs, it announced on Tuesday, Feb. 4, that a licensed dog breeder had signed over 34 dogs and puppies into the rescue's care. Some of the dogs were in "need of dentals due to the poor condition of their teeth," and three of the canines were "heavily pregnant."
"Despite the pressure, we're as committed as ever to ensuring we are there for the stray and abandoned dogs that rely on us and helping local authorities and Animal Licensing Wales tackle low welfare and illegal breeders," Hope Rescue said in its post.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the U.K.'s largest animal welfare charity, told the BBC in a statement: "We understand that people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, but abandoning animals out in the cold is never acceptable." The charity asked that "anybody in a difficult situation seek support" from an animal welfare charity.