Shocking figures released by the RSPCA show the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by a massive 51% in just three years.
The charity has released the new startling statistics to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.
In Berkshire latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 193 – up from 144 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began – a staggering 35% increase.
The RSPCA received 3,071 animal abandonment reports during the winter period (November to January 2021). Last winter (November 2023 to January 2024) this rose to a staggering 4,630 pets who were reported to have been left to fend for themselves – which is a staggering 51% increase.
In total 20,999 abandonment reports were made to the charity’s emergency line in 2023 and according to latest 2024 figures (available up until the end of October) 19,067 have been reported this year – which, if the trend continues, will be almost 23,000 reports.
Before the cost of living crisis the number of reported abandonments during 2020 stood at 16,118 reports – showing a 30% rise in calls in just three years.
It’s a shocking trend with a year-on-year increase in the number of abandonment reports, climbing from 17,179 in 2021 to 19,645 in 2022.
The RSPCA believes the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the increasing financial hardships due to soaring living costs have led to the increase in people dumping their pets.
And sadly now, during the winter months, the RSPCA expects the crisis to worsen as more people struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas time with presents to buy and extra food shopping – coupled with an increase in energy bills.
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 with 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.
“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; or pet rabbits dumped in the wild with little chance of survival against predators.
“With the cost of living crisis we are also seeing people having to move out of properties due to financial pressures, and we are increasingly coming across pets who have been left locked in homes alone after their owners have moved out – like Jack and Poppy pictured (right) who were left to starve on a filthy mattress but were rescued by the RSPCA and have since been rehomed.
“Heartbreakingly, we are seeing many pets left 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.
“Thanks to the public supporting us we are able to rescue many animals, rehabilitate them and find them new homes – but to continue this life-saving work we need your help.”
Abandoned pets like these two rabbits were abandoned in a wire cage in Berkshire.
The rabbits – one male and one female – were found by a local taxi driver at The Grove car park on August 14. He took them home to keep them safe and reported the matter to the RSPCA.
The rabbits were taken into the care of the animal welfare charity where they will be rehomed and were named Jessica and Roger by rescuers.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Chloe Wilson said: “We’re really grateful to the person that found these rabbits, as they were in a very vulnerable position, having been abandoned inside a cage in a car park. I dread to think what could have happened to them if they hadn’t been found.
“They’ve been taken to a private boarding facility from where they will hopefully be rehomed.
“The rabbits appeared healthy and were obviously someone’s family pet so it is sad to see them left like this.”
Ian added: “Right now, far too many animals are suffering behind closed doors. But as long as animals are in desperate need this Christmas, we won’t stop.
“So please Join the Christmas Rescue and together we will bring joy and safety to animals. For thousands of terrified and injured animals, we’ll turn the worst suffering into the best Christmas yet – because it will be the one where their lives change forever, and the start of many happier Christmases to come.”
