Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge centre manager Penny Brischke said there has been a spike in families surrendering their beloved family pets. In the last three months of the year, we were in double figures with the amount of animals coming (that had been surrendered), she said. It s only taken us six weeks to get to nearly the same amount of animals in that position. Ms Brischke said the waiting list is full as well. It s hard, we can t judge people, she said. Whenever we post about animals being surrendered because people can t find appropriate rental property . you get a real emotional response.