Alarming numbers of animals being abandoned – RSPCA

RSPCA experts expect the crisis to “worsen” as more pets are abandoned over the winter months and they expect “the trend to continue”.

“Shocking” figures that the RSPCA released as part of their Join the Christmas Rescue campaign highlighted the battle frontline rescuers face when looking after the neglected animals.

Last year 20,999 abandonment reports were made to the charity, and 19,067 have been reported this year so far.

During the winter period, the charity received 3,071 reports during the winter months of November 2020 to January 2021.

Last year, the reports rose to a staggering 4,360 pets who were abandoned.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs said: “We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of calls reporting pet abandonment to our emergency line during winter.

“An eye-watering 51% rise in three years.

“Sadly, we expect the trend will continue as more pet owners face financial hardship at this time of year more than any other.”

The RSPCA also believed that the surge in pet ownership during the pandemic and the soaring living costs have led to people dumping their pets.

Briggs added: “Our rescuers are regularly coming across dogs in poor health, collapsed and left in isolated spots to suffer a lingering death.

“Sick kittens discarded in cardboard boxes who are lucky to be found alive.

“Pet rabbits dumped in the wild with little chance of survival against predators.”

“Heartbreakingly they are unable to survive for long in their own filth – with no food or water, no one to care for them and no idea if anyone will come to help them.”

Check the RSPCA website for more information.