Abandoned: Victims of the cost of caring crisis

We visit RSPCA centre’s pets in need of homes

- NADA FARHOUD

IN the parrot house, a radio is playing loudly. A sign says it must be kept on at all times.

It provides company for Alfie, an African grey, and neighbour Merlin, a 16-year-old orange-winged beauty from the Amazon. Their favourite station is Radio 2.

Alfie has spent 10 months at the RSPCA shelter after she was rescued from a house full of other parrots amid concern over their welfare.

Merlin was taken to a vet to be put down after his owner fell ill and could no longer care for him.

They are among the 600 dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles cared for each year at the centre.

Branch manager Jenny Eden said pet abandonment is at a record high, explaining: “The combined effects of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis have created a perfect storm.”

Nationally, the RSPCA is bracing for “an unprecedented winter crisis”.