In the past year the Rotorua animal rescue shelter has dealt with 2600 abandoned, unwanted or injured animals - 350 more than the previous year, SPCA inspector Carol Christian-Price said yesterday.
"In December alone we have had 320 animals dumped in the drop-off cages or left at the counter," she said.
"People
don't want them any more or are going away and can't be bothered with the hassles of taking care of their pet."
Since the holiday season began Ms Christian-Price has not only tended to animals left in the drop-off cages and strays and injured animals, but has fed domestic pets left to fend for themselves while their owners were off "having the time of their life".
Notes have been pinned to the doors of neglectful owners. Neighbours or the inspector have been left to take care of the animals' needs.
