Abandoned dogs are no longer being rescued and rehomed by the Stafford, Wolverhampton and District branch of the RSPCA due to lack of volunteers, it emerged today.

The rescue centre, which covers the city and surrounding areas, is now only taking in cats due to falling numbers of volunteers and potential new owners.

The charity today blamed the recession for the dwindling services.

A message on the branch’s website reads: ‘Unfortunately our branch does not, at present, have the facilities to be able to rescue and rehome dogs.’

The branch is also not taking any inquiries from members of the public until next Friday because volunteers are away on holiday. The nearest RSPCA centre to Wolverhampton is in Walsall, although it has closed its waiting list of dogs and cats needing homes as the demand for the pets has dropped off.

RSPCA spokeswoman Jude Clay said the recession was to blame. “Unfortunately, many of the RSPCA’s rehoming centres are currently over-run with animals needing new homes,” she said.

“Every year, the RSPCA rehomes around 70,000 animals.

“The recession has had a big impact on this and we have seen a rise in the number of animals either abandoned, or brought to us for rehoming by owners who can no longer manage the financial burden.” She said the charity was urging people considering getting a pet to avoid answering adverts in newspapers or visiting pet shops, but to rescue an animal which desperately needs a new home.

“The RSPCA desperately needs more new owners to come forward,” she said.

“Thousands of animals are in desperate need of loving new homes and we would love to hear from anyone who thinks they could look after a furry friend.”

The Stafford, Wolverhampton and District branch is self-funded, which means that all the money spent on animals in the area must be raised by volunteers at the branch. The Walsall branch is appealing for temporary carers for the 50 abandoned or neglected pets on its list while staff search for permanent homes for them.

Volunteer Lucy Hayreh said today: “We have had to close the dog and cat waiting list because we just can’t take them from the public any more, although we have to take the ones that our inspectors remove from homes.”

The Wolverhampton branch currently has a number of cats needing new homes.

For more information log on to www.rspca-staffordwolverhampton. org.uk

Anyone interested in taking a pet should call 07504 793931.

To contact the Walsall & District Branch call 0845 2423570.