THE countryside 'shutdown' due to foot and mouth disease could have had potentially devastating effects for the Herefordshire branch of the RSPCA, but the organisation rallied.

The branch still managed to re-home 62 dogs more than the previous year, its annual report reveals.

Dog-walking had become difficult, adding to the number to be re-homed and deterring potential adopters from taking on strays.

With unwanted farm dogs presenting additional problems, re-homing co-ordinator, Pam Pugh, concentrated on abandoned dogs, resulting in 171 being found accommodation. Sixty miscellaneous pets were re-homed throughout the county, a 12-fold increase on the previous year.

Fostering

Committee members and a fosterer took more animals into their own homes for temporary care.

Only half the number of cats were re-homed in 2001 compared to the previous year which, the report states, could be because of increased success of the Cats Protection League and the branch's attention to accommodating canines.

Pet owners on means tested benefits used some 200 vouchers issued to aid them with veterinary costs and a further 30 animals were neutered.

The RSPCA charity shop saw takings up by over 14 per cent while maintaining high quality of goods and providing an important focal point for branch activities.

The RSPCA Herefordshire Branch Annual General Meeting for 2002 will be held in the ground floor meeting room at the Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, on June 18 at 7.30pm.