Eric and Wanda lived the majority of their lives on the street, struggling to fend for themselves and experiencing no love or care whatsoever.

Sadly, when Eric and Wanda were discovered by truly compassionate people who devote their lives to animal rescue, it was too late. Eric was emaciated, cold, starving, lost and alone. Thankfully, he was able to experience true love and compassion before passing away peacefully in the arms of his distraught (putting it mildly) carer. He wasn't alone when his life tragically ended but cats like Eric deserve to experience love, warmth and regular nourishment for more than a matter of hours, days or a few months at best. Most strays never make it into the arms of a caring human. They die alone, in pain and afraid.

Wanda, a beautiful, blind cat, spent her life on the streets, having to rely on her other senses to dodge cars, to find food and shelter. Even writing this is heartbreaking. When Wanda was discovered, her eyes needed to be removed due to the excruciating pain they caused her. The writer had made adoption enquiries for her, but her frail little body had endured too much.

You can’t even begin to imagine the horrible lives both she and Eric endured, and the horrific effects these circumstances have on the mental health of the volunteers who work tirelessly to try to save and love them. Rescues try to save them but are often informed of their plight when it is too late to undo the damage caused by a life on the streets.

There are so many more lost souls out there; desperate for medical attention, desperate for food & shelter and desperate for love. Things have to change.

There are currently circa 60,000 stray dogs and 250,000 (a quarter of a million) stray cats in the UK.

Animal sanctuaries and shelters are at capacity with volunteers giving their time to bring some comfort and joy to the lives of unloved, unwanted animals.

As a nation of domestic animal lovers, the statistics are incredibly disturbing.

What’s also disturbing is that many of us work tirelessly to bring home an income which is significantly reduced when Income Tax & National Insurance contributions are factored in, whilst many, many people breed animals in their homes/back yards to sell to those who melt at the sight of a puppy or a kitten, for astronomical amounts of money – whilst not declaring any income.

These people enjoy lives of luxury with minimal work and without paying any contributions.

Does this sit right with you? Does this seem “fair”?

We have to see beyond the “aww’s” and “how cute’s” and think about the bigger picture – animals are a lifelong commitment.

The proposal here is to appeal to the Government to clamp down on animal breeding and stop people making money from animal exploitation. Unfortunately, if this was solely pleaded with animal welfare borne in mind, it would likely be disregarded, but it’s simply not right that people can make a living by exploiting animals.

A strict Policy needs to be introduced with immediate effect to prevent animal breeding without an appropriate licence and the unregulated sale and distribution of companion animals in the UK.

Ideally, no one should be able to purchase a puppy or kitten whilst animal shelters have residents.

It is also essential that better services and advice are provided in respect of neutering and preventing an increase in stray numbers.

Irrespective of the above, please acknowledge your moral duty to report breeders, to help to rescue cats, dogs and other stray animals and, to the best of your ability, to avoid causing any harm to animals.

It’s also worthwhile to educate family, friends and neighbours about the factual consequences of buying a puppy or kitten (it’s essentially a death sentence to a shelter animal).