The RSPCA Essex South, Southend and District branch confirmed it has reached maximum capacity and has had to temporarily pause new intake. Volunteers said rehoming rates are at an all-time low, while finding experienced foster carers is proving increasingly difficult. A spokesman said: “Every day our phones ring, the emails flood in and our Facebook inbox is pinging. "Sadly we’re bursting at the seams like many other rescues and have reached maximum capacity. "We all need to work together, the pandemic of stray and abandoned cats and dogs isn’t something we can stay on top of alone."