Canberra animal rescue charities say they are at breaking point as they battle to rehome an increasing number of abandoned pets.
Amanda Doelle from non-profit organisation Canberra Pet Rescue said the charity had more pets to care for than they had capacity.
"It's very hard for our team at the moment. We're at breaking point," she said.
"The shelters are overflowing, the pounds are overflowing, our rescue groups are absolutely bursting at the seams and it's really having a big impact.
"We are under so much pressure to take in the next cat, dog or kitten as people can't care for them anymore."
Brian Achanfuo-Yeboah, also from Canberra Pet Rescue, said he believed the pandemic had played a major role in the number of animals being surrendered, as most abandoned pets were young.
He said people, particularly during lockdowns, adopted pets to keep them company.
"Now they're going back to work, they're doing things like going on vacation, and cost of living pressures are going up," he said.
"Some of those considerations that we need to think about when we first get a pet are starting to dawn on some people.
"We're also seeing that the novelty of that puppy or kitten that they got during the COVID lockdown is wearing off, and unfortunately that's seeing a lot of them offload their pets, and that's leading to a lot of pressure on our organisation."
Chief executive of RSPCA ACT, Michelle Robertson, said her organisation had also seen an increase in people surrendering pets, mostly due to cost of living pressures.
"We're seeing affordability coming up [in a way] which we haven't seen," she said.
"It hasn't been such a big factor as what it is starting to become."
'The last place they see on this Earth'
Ms Doelle said it took a great toll to see the number of pets having to be put down due to overcrowding.
"It's really having an impact on the people that are on the front line dealing with the issues. [Those] taking in these pets, the pounds and shelters who are having to euthanise them," she said.
"It's really upsetting to see so many more being born every single day when there's so many in need in our organisation and other rescue groups and pounds and shelters."
She offered a message to owners and breeders, encouraging them to consider their actions when it comes to their furry friends.
"To the irresponsible pet owners and pet breeders: please have a think about the impact you're having on both the people and the pets," she said.
"Dumping your pet at an animal shelter is not ideal. It's a cold, scary and stressful place, and it could be the last place they see on this Earth."
