Mon, 29 Dec 2025

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 Decline in adoption rates at Devon animal rescue

Gables Cats and Dogs Home says some dogs in its care are difficult and have certain requirements.
Animal rescue centre Gables Cats and Dogs Home in Plymouth reports declining adoption rates due to behavioral issues among its dogs. General manager Claire Sparkes attributes this decline to COVID-19 lockdowns, which disrupted socialization and training for many rescue dogs. Sparkes notes that some dogs suffer from separation anxiety, are unsuitable around other pets or children, or require special care. She advises potential adopters to consider an animal's personality rather than its appearance. The centre has recently taken in retired greyhounds suitable for first-time owners or families with children and other pets. However, Sparkes acknowledges that rehoming black cats and kittens remains challenging due to their lower adoption rates. Rehoming numbers have declined significantly at the centre over the past two years, with roughly 60 fewer cats and 30 fewer dogs adopted than usual. Sparkes attributes this decline to factors such as increased difficulty in rehoming harder-to-place animals and reduced public resources for animal care.
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