An animal rescue centre in Godmanchester is concerned that the number of stray dogs it kennels will reach a record-breaking high for the second year in a row.

So far in 2024, Woodgreen Pets Charity has taken in 270 stray dogs, compared to 366 in total last year (the highest they have seen in six years).

Helen Stapleton, head of intake and rehoming at Woodgreen Pets Charity, said:
“Woodgreen is continuing to take in a lot of stray dogs, particularly lurchers, which make up 20% of all stray dogs we received over the past year.

“But we think it’s likely we’ll reach the same number that we saw in 2023 when we get to the end of 2024."

She added that, from East Cambridgeshire alone, the charity has already taken in almost as many stray dogs as it did for the whole of last year - despite there still being three months of 2024 left.

This comes after figures revealed East Cambridgeshire District Council's expenditure on kennelling stray dogs from the district so far this year.

According to data analysed by this newspaper, the council has spent more than £8,000 from January to September 2024. 

The charity is also concerned that many of these dogs are likely to have been abandoned.

“Sadly, only 27% of stray dogs are reclaimed by their owners, which possibly means many of these dogs are not strays but have been abandoned," added Helen.

"At Woodgreen we offer free advice about all aspects of pet care," she added.

Woodgreen is located at King's Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, PE29 2NH.

Contact Woodgreen by calling 0300 303 9333 or visit the following website: www.woodgreen.org.uk.