A rescue centre has been called "the most depressing place on earth" by its team of rescue workers who are at "breaking point" and in tears daily. Dogs 4 Rescue in Manchester is pleading for people to foster their unwanted dogs - with all costs paid for by the charity.
Manager Emma Billington says the phone line is endlessly ringing with owners desperate to surrender their dogs due to worries about the rising cost of living. But with the centre at full capacity Emma is forced to turn down stray puppies from her care, heartbreakingly knowing they will be put down.
Sign up to our TeamDogs newsletter for your weekly dose of dog news, pictures and stories.
"In the last month, we have seen six dogs returned after we have homed them as people are worrying more about the cost following the puppy boom during Covid," Emma explains.
"Previously this level of return would only have happened across two or three years.
"It has never been like this and we need urgent help of people coming forward to foster them – we'll cover any fees – but we need to free up spaces."
The centre currently has 50 places, with access to a new site which will open up a further 20 immediately - but the staff simply cannot step away to set it up.
"We are pleading with everyone in the area to consider fostering our dogs," Emma says.
The emotional toll on staff is huge and they know that if they can't take a dog in, its fate it very often already sealed.
Emma continues: "I love my job but this is the most depressing place on earth at the moment.
"It is utterly soul-destroying because we know that we are having to turn away dogs that are going to be killed because there is nowhere for them to go."
"I have to be honest – I broke the other day. We had to turn away a four-month-old puppy who I know would ordinarily be picked up soon.
"The reality is that I know that little boy's fate and I feel like I am failing them."
The team is in tears most days and say they have never known anything like this before.
"People are worried – and I just wish the Government would act," Emma says.
"The main worry people seem to have now is the cost of living – if there were measures to help then I imagine we'd see fewer dogs being dumped and our phones would hopefully stop ringing.
"I'd like Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, or Liz Truss to come and spend a day here and take some of the gut-wrenching calls we are to snap them into doing something."
Emma says there is hope if the people of Manchester can foster, and explains the team provide information packs and leads which say 'adopt me' to help the dogs find permanent homes.
"We believe that dogs are better in twos – they keep each other busy and entertained. If you have a dog already we have a matching service to make sure everyone gets on" Emma adds.
To view the dogs available for foster and adoption, visit Dogs 4 Rescue website.
Are you struggling to look after your dog amid the cost of living crisis? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
