Every year the same: people going away on holidays, ones who cannot afford paying boarding for their pets or a pet sitter- dump their pets at the animal shelters
Pets as Xmas presents- kids think the novelty wore off, too hard to look after them, unwanted Xmas gifts - pets dumped at the shelter
Fireworks on New Years EVE- dogs and cats left without Council registration or other ID tags and not microchipped, left outside in the backyard, not confined indoors while fireworks are on- they spook and fret, running away in panic - some get killed by cars, others found by anyone, some returned to owners, others never to be seen again by their previous owners, some end up at the pounds, the animal shelters for adoption and get rehomed, the unlucky ones get put down. Most of it could have been easily prevented if the right thing done by their owners. Much more responsible pet ownership programs needed by the Council, vets, dog trainers, community at large, never enough... out there.
Larger animal numbers enter the shelters during January and February then any other time of the year...