The RSPCA has today revealed that it is facing an unprecedented winter crisis as the number of animals abandoned by their owners has reached a shocking three-year high.
The animal welfare charity has released new statistics that show that it has received 17,838 reports of abandoned animals in England and Wales from January to October this year – a staggering 32.9% increase from the whole of 2020, when it received 16,118 reports.
If the current trend continues, the RSPCA estimates that it will receive 21,417 reports of abandoned animals by the end of 2023 – the highest number since 2020.
The charity blames the ongoing cost of living crisis and the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic for creating a “perfect storm” that has led to more animals being dumped and neglected.
Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: “The combined effects of the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis have created a perfect storm – and means we expect more animals than ever will need our help this year.
“Abandonment calls to our emergency line are now at a three-year high, as we respond to an increasing number of animals being given up and dumped.
“Behind these shocking statistics are thousands of vulnerable animals. Each one is a valuable life in urgent need of our help.
“We’re desperately concerned about the coming winter months – abandonments have soared and many rescue centres are full to bursting, so we are facing an unprecedented winter crisis.
“Our rescue teams are set to be busier than ever this Christmas – so we need animal lovers to Join the Christmas Rescue and donate to help us be there for animals in desperate need as abandonment soars.”
The RSPCA has launched its Join the Christmas Rescue campaign to raise funds and awareness for the animals in its care. The campaign features the stories of some of the animals that have been rescued and rehomed by the charity, such as Sheila and Stella, a mother and daughter pair of cats who were found underweight and hungry in a filthy flat with no food and water close to Christmas.
RSPCA inspector Amy Pellegrini said: “After the call came in I rushed to a flat to find four cats in desperate need of help. The scratches at the door and the loud noises the cats were making told me they were starving.
“It was clear no one had been visiting them to feed them. I pushed some pouches of cat food through the letterbox and they pounced on them in desperation. Thankfully, I was able to gain access and get the cats to safety, and with time, our prosecution team made sure their former owner was brought to justice.
“The rescue was just the beginning for Sheila and Stella. Once I’d removed them from the flat and given them a good meal, I took them to our RSPCA East Norfolk Branch. The search began to find them a new home and they soon met their perfect match.”
Sheila and Stella are now living happily with their new owner, who spoils them with treats and cuddles. Two other cats, Tom and Barbra, who were also rescued from the same flat, have also found loving homes.
You can watch Sheila and Stella’s story on the RSPCA YouTube page below- warning this contains distressing footage.
Dermot added: “For nearly 200 years, the RSPCA has been there for animals in need. But we can’t do it alone. We rely on the generosity of the public to fund our vital work. This Christmas, we’re asking animal lovers to join us and help us rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals who have nowhere else to turn.”
To donate to the RSPCA’s Join the Christmas Rescue campaign, visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas or call 0300 123 8181.