She said there is a contingency plan and some of the animals have got homes to go to, but some of the "elderly and bad tempered", and wildcats and racoons would probably have to be put down.

BBC: Animals at the Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre

However, Ms Morgan said they will do their "utmost" to find homes for all of the animals should they have to close the centre.

BBC: Animals at the Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre

Grain farmers replaced working animals with combines and planters, which demanded different homes, usually wide metal sheds.

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The local authority is asking for people to come forward to temporarily look after the animals to allow dog wardens extra time to find new homes.

BBC: Tendring council appeals for more dog foster carers

Another 30 animals, too weak or young to be released, found new homes in aquariums throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan.

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Tendring District Council said it was struggling to find homes for the unwanted dogs and has had to destroy 10 animals since October as a result.

BBC: Tendring council appeals for more dog foster carers

Across social media, neighbors offer their homes to the displaced, shelters are set up for rescued animals, fundraisers are held daily to help both families and small mountain fire departments.

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We trap them in our homes, expose them to fireworks or force them to live with other animals they may intensely dislike.

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It, too, has fundamentals going for it: the same growing middle classes that need to build homes demand more protein in their diets, so requiring more food for both people and animals.

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In April, the government announced proposals to bring in a two-year jail sentence for dog owners in England and Wales whose animals were found to be "dangerously out of control" in their own or other people's homes.

BBC: Clifford Clarke