RSPCA Squeezed From All Directions

March 31st 2012: The RSPCA in Great Britain is being squeezed from all directions. In difficult times animals should not be forgotten. These are the factors that are affecting the RSPCA at this time:

1. Reduced donations due to the weak economy and recession. The British people are very generous but the weakened economy is the most serious for a long time.
2. An increase in the number of abandoned animals due to people suffering difficulties financially. Personally, I think that on a lot of occasions people need not abandon their companion animal when things get tight financially. These people keep their cars and TVs etc. The cat goes before the car no doubt. Some people use the recession as an excuse to get rid of a companion animal that they want to get rid of anyway. Sorry if that sounds cynical. Calls to the RSPCA about abandoned animals have risen from 21,481 (2007) to 28,162 (2011).
3. Increased vet bills. This is something we all know about in the UK.
4. Increased fuel bills. Same again. Brits pay by far the most tax on fuel in the EU as far as I am aware.
5. A requirement because of the above to reduce the number of staff working at the RSPCA by 130. This will obviously impact animal welfare further.

I am sure similar stories are being played out in other countries. I wonder if the RSPCA in Australia have the same problem?