Dogs at a discount to clear SPCA's cages

These mastiff cross pups are among many at the Auckland SPCA waiting to be rehomed. Photo / Greg Bowker

The SPCA is holding a dog sale this week to deal with the largest overflow of unwanted animals in 27 years.

The Mangere Animal Village is overflowing with dogs, and had had to turn away many in the past month. The shelter has 59 dogs ready for adoption, where it would normally only hold 45 to 50.

Chief executive Bob Kerridge said there was a further glut in the back wings. The shelter had 161 dogs that were recovering from injuries or were waiting until they were old enough to be sold, and a further 30 in foster care.

"We're at over-capacity. Five to six times in the last month we have had to stop dogs coming in which we hate to do. If we can't take the dog then we worry about what will happen to it."

Mr Kerridge said he suspected families were giving up their family pets to keep the budget balanced. The cost of living has jumped the highest annual percentage in 21 years, with basic costs such as petrol, food and electricity rising dramatically, according to Statistics NZ.

"People through hard times usually have to make decisions about what they can and can't afford," Mr Kerridge said. "And sadly animals are quite low down the budget. Which is a sad thing because in times of stress animals are very supportive."

Owners dropped off animals to the SPCA once they could no longer afford to care for them after a change in circumstances or budget problems, he said. Incoming dog numbers were up 11 per cent on last year.

Winter is normally a busy time because of weather conditions and numbers usually spike before registration date - August 1 - because of the costs involved.

But Mr Kerridge also blamed a failure to de-sex animals, leaving a large number of cross-breeds running around town.

All SPCA dogs ready for adoption will be sold at half-price on Saturday and Sunday. A puppy aged five months and under will cost $130 this weekend, while one over 6 months old will cost $120.

Mr Kerridge said he hoped to see at least 30 dogs find new owners, so that the 30 dogs in foster homes could be moved to the shelter.

"So hopefully this weekend we'll persuade a few people that have been thinking about getting a dog, to finally get a dog. That way they'll be rescuing an animal in need."