French animal shelters struggle as number of pets brought in remains high

The number of animals abandoned in France this summer dropped slightly overall compared to last year, France’s leading animal charity, La Société Protectrice des Animaux, (SPA) said.

However, cases of animals being fostered have greatly increased due to a strain on shelter resources, and the number of pets taken in due to abuse by owners more than doubled compared to 2024.

Leading animal charity the SPA reports that in July and August 2025, 7,628 animals were brought to its 62 shelters.

This number excludes animals abandoned in the wild that were not rescued or brought to a shelter first. 

It is slightly lower than the number in 2024, which saw 7,951 animals placed into SPA shelters. 

At the same time, 2,256 animals, mainly kittens, were being fostered through the SPA, an increase of 14% compared to the year previous.

Foster families take in kittens to provide additional space in shelters, or because their situation is complicated - they are yet to socialise, are too frightened, etc - to be placed into a shelter.

During the same July / August period some 7,000 animals were adopted, helping to make space for the new arrivals.

Several reasons for high figures 

The SPA highlighted a number of causes behind the number of animals taken to the shelter.

A major reason is the continuing cost of living crisis, with families finding it harder to look after animals and provide care, sometimes causing them to give them up. 

At the same time, it creates uncertainty for would-be adopters, who are more hesitant to bring a pet home with them. 

Another key factor is an increasing number of animals relocated to the shelter because their owners were found to be abusing them. 

The summer period saw 348 animals urgently sheltered at the SPA due to abusive owners, compared to 140 the year before. 

One anti-abuse operation alone saw 39 dogs in Brittany relocated to nine shelters in the surrounding area.

Extreme weather conditions including forest fires blocked or reduced access to shelters reducing visitor and potential adopter numbers.

Finally, outbreaks of cat typhus hit some shelters, reducing intake numbers. 

“Every summer, we anticipate a critical period, but this year again, we had to face major tensions: more requisitions, emergency arrivals and considerable logistical needs, particularly for kittens,” said Jacques-Charles Fombonne, volunteer president of the association in the press release announcing the figures. 

“Despite this the SPA teams were able to rise to the challenges by making considerable efforts to save the animals,” he added. 

The Connexion interviewed Mr Fombonne in 2024 which you can read here.