Almost 500 animals abandoned in Wiltshire so far this year
The figure is already more than the whole of 2021
Last updated 1st Sep 2022
The RSCPA says it's received 495 reports of abandoned animals across Wiltshire so far this year.
The figure from January to the end of July already outstrips the 314 reported to the charity in 2021.
Worrying rise
Across England and Wales in 2021, the RSPCA saw an average of 104 reports of abandoned animals every day, or four abandoned animals every hour.
From January to July 2021, there were 18,375 abandonment reports compared to 22,908 in the first seven months of this year - a rise of 24%.
The charity fears that a huge rise in pet ownership during the pandemic, coupled with the cost of living crisis putting a strain on people’s finances, means even more pets are being given up this year.
Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer at the RSPCA, said:
“The idea of putting your cat in a cat carrier and taking them to a secluded spot in the woods before walking away, or chucking your dog out of the car and driving off leaving them desperately running behind the vehicle, is absolutely unthinkable and heartbreaking to most pet owners - but sadly we are seeing animals callously abandoned like this every single day.
“We understand that sometimes the unexpected can happen - the pandemic and cost of living crisis proved that - but there is never an excuse to abandon an animal. There are always other options for anyone who has fallen on hard times and can no longer afford to keep their pet.”
Chihuahuas dumped in Wiltshire
In Wiltshire, three abandoned chihuahuas were discovered in a cardboard box in a car park near Avebury stones in August.
All three were in poor condition and in need of urgent care and attention. One also had a severe open wound on her back right leg and had to be given emergency surgery to remove the limb.
The RSPCA has released the stark figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty summer campaign, which aims to raise funds to help keep its rescue teams and centres running.
According to the charity, dogs are the most abandoned pet across England and Wales, with cats second.