Hawke's Bay SPCA workers are being verbally and physically abused by the public, when they don't accept their unwanted animals

The charity says people don't understand its core service isn't to re-home pets, and sometimes there isn't space in a centre.

Hastings SPCA put out a plea two weeks ago, urging the public to stop tying dogs to their front gate overnight.

SPCA Hawke's Bay centre manager Tamra Hay says some staff have been spat on, had cats physically thrown at them, and their area manager's even been punched.

She says verbal and online attacks are almost daily occurrences nationwide.