“Last month, on a single day, we were asked to care for 20 puppies, including three dumped puppies in the care of a vet clinic.”
Last year, 159 dogs and puppies entered the trust’s care. They have had more than 120 this year.
Currently, the trust was caring for 22 horses and more than 60 dogs and puppies, with another four dogs and 22 puppies expected this weekend.
Thompson said about 80% of the trust’s work involved caring for dogs from council pounds, and the rest were from vet clinics and community rehoming cases.
Thompson said the trust’s expenses have reached almost $87,000 already this year, compared to nearly $96,000 in 2025.
“We rely entirely on donations. If we can’t get more financial support, volunteers and foster carers, we may have to close to new intakes.
“We’re not giving up, but we’re asking our village to help carry us, as we can’t do this alone.”
SPCA head of animal care operations Selena Francisco said the Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne centres were all experiencing a significant increase in litters of unwanted puppies.
She said the Tauranga centre had taken in 26 puppies in 1O days, forcing staff to use every available space.
Among the 53 animals in its care were 10 huntaway-cross puppies, which arrived “dehydrated, underweight” and too young to be separated from their mother.
“Luckily, we have a wonderful foster mum with a purpose-built foster room who took them in for the two weeks. They’re now strong, healthy and available for adoption.”
Rotorua SPCA centre had 128 animals in its care, and Whakatāne centre’s 75 animals included five puppies found wandering in heavy traffic after being dumped on a roadside near Te Teko.
Francisco said the SPCA and vet clinics could help struggling pet owners with food, bedding, treatment and advice.
Rescue, Revive, Rehome Bay of Plenty (RRR) Charitable Trust spokeswoman Liz Proudlock said requests to help care for abandoned and neglected animals, including puppies, have increased dramatically in the past two years.
This was because of rising living costs and “unexpected life challenges” for some families, she said.
“In response, we’ve created a community outreach programme, offering pet food, access to veterinary care and animal welfare advice, with 35 families supported in the last month.
“We often also see families facing much bigger challenges, including mental health struggles, food insecurity and housing issues. When people are supported, their animals also benefit too.”
Tauranga City Council animal services team leader Oscar Glossop said rescue groups played a “vital role” in helping suitable dogs transition from pounds into permanent homes.
“We ensure these dogs are vaccinated, flea and worm treated and microchipped, and provide pro-rated registration fees where applicable.”
Tauranga City Council animal services team leader Oscar Glossop. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
Vada’s Angels took in 26 dogs from Tauranga’s pound in the last financial year, and RRR accepted four impounded dogs in the past 12 months.
He said 582 dogs were impounded in the 2025-26 financial year, and 117 were euthanised.
“If owners can no longer care for a dog or litter of puppies, we urge them to reach out for help rather than leaving them to fend for themselves.”
A Western Bay of Plenty District Council spokeswoman said the council had worked with Vada’s Angels for many years, and placed three dogs with the rescue group this year and 13 last year.
Since January, 88 of the 215 adult dogs and puppies impounded were euthanised.
“Abandoning pets is both cruel and irresponsible … If people can no longer care for a dog, we encourage them to seek help before it reaches that point.”
Mihikore Owen, Rotorua Lakes Council’s manager of community safety and regulatory services, said the council did its “very best” to rehome dogs that end up in its pound.
She said 1069 dogs were impounded in the 2025-26 financial year and 492 were euthanised.
Owen said Vada’s Angels helped find new homes for its impounded dogs, and 64 dogs were rehomed in the 2025-26 financial year.
“Sadly, not every dog can be rehomed. This can be due to behaviour, health, or legal restrictions, and our team faces the very difficult decision of euthanasia… It’s deeply upsetting for our staff.”
Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post and has been a journalist for more than 25 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.