Animal neglect and abandonment is soaring, and it’s worse at Christmas time, warns RSPCA
There’s been a huge increase in animal neglect and abandonment in England and Wales and the RSPCA’s rescue centres are “absolutely full”, according to the charity.
New figures show there were 38,977 incidents of neglect reported to the RSPCA’s emergency cruelty line between January and September 2023.
But for the same period in 2024, there were 48,814 – a 25% increase.
The number of animals dumped in winter has also doubled.
“Our centres up and down the country are absolutely full, and we’re also taking animals into private boarding,” said RSPCA spokesperson Suzanne Norbury.
“So when our teams are out there, they rescue animals and we haven’t got space.
“We’re spending money on private boarding facilities at the moment on top of running centres like this one. It’s costing us £26,000 each and every week.”
It means the charity is trying to absorb extra costs of £1,352,000 a year for emergency boarding.
RSPCA spokesperson Suzanne Norbury said centres are full
At their rescue centre at Frankley near Birmingham, Damon is one of many cats looking for a new home.
He was a stray found on a building site with a broken jaw and has had to have it wired back together at the animal hospital here.
Damon had his jaw wired back together
‘The first thing they cut back on is their animals’
Ian Briggs, a chief inspector for the charity, said: “He must have been in considerable pain, and it was only due to a member of the public letting us know that we were able to intervene and give him the treatment he needed.”
“During COVID, people sought to own pets because they were looking to have companionship.
“Then after lockdown was released and everyone got back to normal, we were then hit by the cost of living crisis. Then year on year we’re seeing finances stretched for everybody, so we believe we’ve got all these extra people who have pets and now some are feeling the financial strain.”
He added: “Because of the Christmas period, we’re in the middle of winter, heating goes up, electricity costs even more, that adds an additional financial burden to people who are already struggling, and often the first thing they cut back on is their animals.”
Damon the cat
Animals found in appalling conditions
Last year, the charity rescued 34 animals from a house in Walsall, including 24 dogs, who’d been kept in appalling conditions.
They were found surrounded by hundreds of empty dog food cans, and faeces.
Following an RSPCA prosecution, two people were disqualified from keeping all animals for life.
They also received suspended 20-week custodial sentences after pleading guilty to offences including failing to provide the animals with veterinary care, a suitable living environment or taking reasonable steps to protect them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
The animals were rehabilitated at various RSPCA rehoming centres, including the centre at Frankley.
One, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, was rehomed in the summer.
Sarah Potter with her new cats
‘We needed to give two homeless cats a home’
Cats Peter and Paul are the lucky ones being picked up to be taken to a new home while Sky News was filming at the centre.
Sarah and Martin Potter are taking them back to Worcestershire.
“We recently lost a cat,” said Sarah, “and the house is just completely empty”.
“We’ve just got so much love to give, that we needed to give two homeless cats a home ready for Christmas”.
It can, though, take years for other animals to be re-homed and there are now more than ever needing a new start.
Two women have died following reports of a stabbing in Milton Keynes on Christmas Day, police have said.
A dog injured in the incident in Bletchley also died after being taken to the vets.
A man and a teenage boy suffered serious injuries.
A 49-year-old man from Milton Keynes has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody.
Forensic officers at the scene. Pics: PA
Officers were called to a block of apartments in Santa Cruz Avenue just after 6.30pm on Christmas Day following reports of a stabbing.
The two women, aged 38 and 24, died at the scene, Thames Valley Police said. Their next of kin have been informed.
The injured man and teenage boy were taken to hospital and are both in a stable condition.
Police said the parties are known to each other.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Brangwin said: “Firstly I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the women who have tragically died in this shocking incident.
“We have launched a double murder investigation, which may be concerning to the wider public; however, we have made an arrest and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident and the parties are known to each other.”
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway