SAFE Esperance coordinator Janine Button with a rescue dog.
Esperance is inundated with unwanted puppies, according to an agency which endeavours to find homes for them.
Janine Button, who is Save Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) coordinator for Esperance, said they had just received two litters with a third coming in about a month.
“We have been contacted about other pups we have not taken because they are too old,” she said.
Ms Button said once puppies were about three months old it became harder to find homes for them.
Increasingly, she said they had had to refuse to take dogs in because there seemed to be a population explosion of unwanted puppies throughout WA.
“A lot of people have allowed their dogs to breed,” she said.
“I don’t know if we are being offered more pups because people in their current living situations can’t afford them or can’t keep them.
“With our last litter, the guy took very good care of them for six or seven weeks but just couldn’t afford to feed them on a low income.”
Ms Button said although tenancy laws were changing, there were also many people who found they could not rent a home if they had pets.
At present there are not enough volunteers to foster surrendered dogs, and a limited demand for people wanting to adopt a pet.
SAFE welcomes enquiries from people keen to foster a dog while a permanent home is found for it, or simply to donate some money.
They are also keen to hear from people who cannot be foster carers, but would like to assist by walking a dog regularly.
Ms Button said the best contact was via SAFE Esperance page on Facebook, and donations would also be accepted over the counter at Swans Veterinary Services in Chadwick.
