1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: Now my understanding is that the RSPCA is facing increased 2 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:08,239 Speaker 1: numbers of pets being surrendered at the moment. Joining us 3 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: on the show to tell us a little bit more 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 1: about the situation is RSPCA NI Operations Manager Charles Gilliam. 5 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:16,600 Speaker 1: Good morning, Charles. 6 00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:18,279 Speaker 2: Good morning, Katie. How are you? 7 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, really good? Thanks so much for your time this morning. Charles, 8 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,760 Speaker 1: what is this? Yeah, what's the situation at the moment. 9 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: Have you got increased numbers of people trying to surrender animals, Katie? 10 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 2: Yes, we have. We've got I think we've got city 11 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 2: odd dogs pending surrender. We absolutely chuck a block at 12 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 2: the moment, and we have people just pitching up with 13 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 2: their dogs and wanting wanting to surrender on the day, 14 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 2: but we have to assess them. We have to have space. Obviously, 15 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 2: there's so much. 16 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:52,519 Speaker 1: Involved, Charles, talk me through. You know just how full 17 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: you guys are there at the moment at the shelter. 18 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 2: I've got space for approximately fifty odd dogs at the moment, 19 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:04,640 Speaker 2: I think we're sitting on fifty five our dogs, so 20 00:01:04,680 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 2: we've we've had to double up some of them where 21 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:11,400 Speaker 2: we can. Some of some of the kennels are unfortunately 22 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 2: needed repair. So we're doing as best as we can, 23 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 2: as quick as we can to get them fixed. We've 24 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 2: also got dogs out on foster as much as we 25 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:22,759 Speaker 2: can to foster cares or a great, great help to us. 26 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 2: But it's obviously, you know, people have got their own 27 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 2: lives to live as well, so it's not always not 28 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 2: always an easy one for them to take on extra animals. 29 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, so tell me why are additional people? Do you 30 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 1: know why there is an increased number of people trying 31 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: to turn up and surrender their animals, Katie. 32 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: I'm going to put a lot of it down to 33 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 2: cost of living. People just can't afford to have their 34 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 2: pets anymore. A lot of cases come in where the 35 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 2: animal needs urgent veteriny equip veterinory treatment. They've obviously been 36 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 2: to a vet, they found out what the cost is 37 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 2: going to be, and it's just too much for them. So, yeah, 38 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: we see the animal, You see the animal coming desperately 39 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:08,880 Speaker 2: needing vetny attention, they can't afford it. We faced with 40 00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:11,119 Speaker 2: the agonizing choice, what do we do because we don't 41 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 2: want to see the animal suffering? 42 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,520 Speaker 1: Oh goodness, may that's terrible, Charles. 43 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 2: It's a difficult one. 44 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:22,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, So like how often you know, like you said before, 45 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: that people are turning up, you know, sort of without 46 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: calling first. They're just turning up and they're just wanting 47 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: to surrender their their animals. How often is this happening? 48 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:34,119 Speaker 1: A three? 49 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 2: Four times a week? Possibly? Hord to put a number 50 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 2: of I came back from leave on Wednesday last week, 51 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 2: got back to work on Thursday. There were two people 52 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 2: on Thursday. 53 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 1: Loan wow, Charles, you know how like what does the 54 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: RSPCI then do, Like what steps have you got to 55 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,519 Speaker 1: be able to enact? Because I guess you can't take 56 00:02:57,600 --> 00:02:58,800 Speaker 1: every animal. 57 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: We can't, Katie. So what we do is we will 58 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 2: refer them to other rehoming agencies in case they've got space. 59 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 2: Some of the pounds will actually take a surrender on 60 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 2: as well, and that sometimes gives us a bit of 61 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 2: breathing space because we take animals from the pound as well. 62 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 2: So those dogs and cats that have found astrays or 63 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,960 Speaker 2: get surrendered to the pound, they get offered to us 64 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 2: as well, so it buys us a little bit of time. 65 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 2: Hopefully we can adopt our the animals we've got on board, 66 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 2: and it's a revolving door. Really as one goes out 67 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 2: there space for another want to come in. 68 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: So in terms of you know, the type of animals 69 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: that people are surrendering, is it mostly dogs or are 70 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 1: you receiving cats as well? 71 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 2: Both, but mostly dogs. 72 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 1: So what I mean, I know there's a lot of 73 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 1: people listening this morning who might be thinking, I'd like 74 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: to be able to help. What can people do if 75 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 1: they are listening and they're in a situation where they 76 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 1: may be able to help out in some way. 77 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 2: So foster caring is one of the big things. So 78 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 2: as I say, if we're full, and especially if we 79 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 2: have animals in the shelter. So we've got one beautiful 80 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 2: little girl at the moment called Cocoa. She is just 81 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:14,839 Speaker 2: so petrified. We're just desperately trying to find a good 82 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 2: foster home for her. In the meantime, she's a lovely 83 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 2: dog and she's you know, she's she's not a risk 84 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 2: to anybody, but she just sits in a corner and 85 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:26,719 Speaker 2: cowers because they've lost their people. Effectively, they're part of 86 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 2: a family and now that they're in this foreign environment. 87 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 2: So foster caring is one of the big things. Volunteers 88 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,040 Speaker 2: helping with dog walking is another massive help to us 89 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: because these poor animals sit in their cages. With the 90 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 2: volunteers of help with dog walking, it's an absolute godsend 91 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 2: because they take them out, they exercise them, they let 92 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 2: them run around in the yard, they take them for 93 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 2: a walk down the road. Excuse me, that's you know 94 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 2: that that that relieves that tension for the per animal 95 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 2: as well. 96 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 1: Oh, Charles, me feel really sad. You know that you're 97 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 1: in a situation where you're in undated with you know, 98 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 1: with animals, but also people being in a situation where 99 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 1: they're not able to continue to look after their animals 100 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 1: due to financial issues. I mean, what is your advice 101 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:18,840 Speaker 1: though for people, because I feel like sometimes, you know, 102 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 1: people love the idea of having an animal, but maybe 103 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:25,479 Speaker 1: don't think it through as much as they could or. 104 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 2: Short, Katie, that's one of our big things is to 105 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 2: consider the laugh choice of having an animal. And look, 106 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 2: we want people to have animals because they're just such 107 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 2: great therapy in so many ways, and they're such great companions. 108 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 2: But it really needs some careful thought before taking on 109 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 2: that puppy. But Christmas time, when we adopt out an animal, 110 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 2: we make sure that the whole family comes in, they 111 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 2: meet the animal, we assess the situation to make sure 112 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:57,159 Speaker 2: that they're comfortable. But obviously there's nothing we can do 113 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:00,599 Speaker 2: in terms of the backyard breeding that scenario. People just 114 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:04,080 Speaker 2: go up and buy a puppy and then all of 115 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 2: a sudden it wasn't a great idea and what we're 116 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 2: going to do with this dog now, So considering that 117 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 2: life choice is so important, and then from having gone 118 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:18,040 Speaker 2: down that road, there's a munstitude of stuff. So make 119 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 2: sure you get your dog dsex, make sure it's microchipped, 120 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,039 Speaker 2: Train the dog, exercise the dog, make sure your your 121 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 2: ared is secure. That's obviously a lot of the dogs 122 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 2: that come to the pond have escaped. There haven't been microchip, 123 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 2: they can't you know, they can't find the owners, and 124 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 2: then it's it's yet another stray that has to be 125 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 2: dealt with someone along the line. 126 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: Oh tell you what I mean. I'm looking on the 127 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: RSPCA's website right now and some of the animals that 128 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: are actually there available to adopt. And I know, as 129 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 1: you've just spoken about, you know, like you've got to 130 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:54,719 Speaker 1: make sure that you're thinking long and hard before you 131 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: go down this path. But there are some of the 132 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:00,960 Speaker 1: most beautiful dogs on there are absolute darlings. 133 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 2: And one of the things that is difficult for us 134 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:07,040 Speaker 2: because they're in cages and they obviously they become quite 135 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 2: protective of their cage, and so when people walk up 136 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 2: and down, the dogs go often back bar. But once 137 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 2: you take them out, they're completely different creatures. Yeah. Yeah. Piper, 138 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 2: for example, is one of the dogs in the adoption 139 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 2: center at the moment. She's been with us a fairwhile. 140 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 2: I couldn't tell you exactly off the top of my head, 141 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 2: but she jumps and does she turns some assaults in 142 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 2: that cage, She picks up her bowl, carries around and 143 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,000 Speaker 2: it's just it's just boreder behavior. But you take her 144 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 2: out and she's a sweet, loving soul. 145 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 1: Oh, I'm just looking at a photo of her, I 146 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 1: think right now, So how long has she been there 147 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: with you, guys? 148 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 2: For She's been with us for quite a while. I 149 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 2: couldn't tell you off the top of my head, but yeah, 150 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:54,119 Speaker 2: she's she's been with us for a good number of months. Katie. 151 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: Oh, and look, I know I'm you know, I know 152 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 1: as you as we have literally just spoken about, you 153 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: want to make sure that to anybody out there listening 154 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 1: that's potentially even considering adopting a dog or a cat. 155 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: But if you are considering it, you know, make sure 156 00:08:09,520 --> 00:08:11,680 Speaker 1: that you are doing it for all the right reasons 157 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 1: and that you have indeed got the money to be 158 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 1: able to look after that animal and understand that there's 159 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: going to be potentially, you know, other costs involved. But 160 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: I tell you what, Charles, there's some beautiful dogs on 161 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 1: this website. I mean even you know, like even looking 162 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 1: at like you've got a little kelpie cross there, Ashley. 163 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 1: You know, for somebody who maybe wants to take a 164 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:35,320 Speaker 1: dog out running with them, that little Ashley looks like 165 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 1: she'd be beautiful dog to have. 166 00:08:37,640 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 2: She's lovely, she's a sweet little soul. 167 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: Oh look, you know I'm not the best person to 168 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:45,560 Speaker 1: talk to about these things or my husband and I 169 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 1: end up adopting another animal. So I probably need to 170 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: stop looking at the at the bitches. 171 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 2: But we're not I'm enabling inletrig I'm not going to 172 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 2: stand in your way. 173 00:08:57,960 --> 00:08:59,959 Speaker 1: Well, and this is the thing, right, you want response 174 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: pet owners, and you know if you like, yeah, you 175 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: want responsible pet owners. And as you've touched on, it's 176 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: such a difficult situation at the moment for you guys 177 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 1: juggling the increased you know, the increased volume of dogs 178 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: coming in. I mean, it breaks your heart. It must 179 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: be tough for you guys. 180 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:22,000 Speaker 2: It is very tough, and it's tough on a lot 181 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 2: of the staff. We make sure we try and destress 182 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 2: them as much as we can. We've got an EP 183 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 2: system in place for some of the stuff because it's 184 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:33,319 Speaker 2: heartbreaking for them sometimes. 185 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, it truly is. Well, I tell you, I really 186 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:40,840 Speaker 1: appreciate your time this morning, Charles. And look, if anybody 187 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: is out there listening this morning, you're able to help 188 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: in some way. If you're able to, you know, to 189 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: potentially foster a pet or able to go out and 190 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:51,079 Speaker 1: help with some dog walking. Where can they head you 191 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:52,679 Speaker 1: what's the best way for them to do that? 192 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 2: So a good start would be jump on our website 193 00:09:56,600 --> 00:09:59,880 Speaker 2: and click on the foster kere or the volunteer but 194 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 2: fill in the form. It'll come through to us. We'll 195 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 2: assess it and go from there if I could. We 196 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,480 Speaker 2: are running a tax appeal at the moment, and obviously 197 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:13,439 Speaker 2: funding is one of our absolute critical needs. So anybody 198 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:16,320 Speaker 2: jumping on our website and clicking on the donate button 199 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 2: would be an absolute godsend for us. 200 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: Well, it is really good to speak to you this morning, Charles. 201 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: Thank you very much for your time, and a big 202 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 1: thanks to all of the crew out there at the RSPC. 203 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: I know there's plenty of volunteers helping out as well. 204 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 1: Are you guys do a great job. 205 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, thanks Katie. Just one last thing, Sir, Dan is 206 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 2: the most fantastic ambassador. We have Dan from Brecky yep. 207 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:44,600 Speaker 2: And so I'm not sure if you're aware, but Mix 208 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 2: one O four point nine we've actually dedicated one of 209 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 2: the kennels to you guys. Ah and the resident that 210 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:56,400 Speaker 2: we had in the little dog called DIBBYBBB, was adopted 211 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 2: on the weekend. 212 00:10:57,160 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: Oh how awesome. Well, if Dan doesn't know that, we 213 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: will make sure that he knows that is wonderful to hear. 214 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 2: Yes, I haven't actually got to tell them so yet. 215 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 1: We will know yet, we'll make sure that we pass 216 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 1: that on. Charles. Thank you so much for your time 217 00:11:11,000 --> 00:11:11,439 Speaker 1: this morning. 218 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:15,560 Speaker 2: I really appreciate it, Katie, thank you, and great work 219 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:16,520 Speaker 2: to do there as well. 220 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: Thank you. Thanks mate.