Animal abandonments have soared across Gloucestershire
New figures show animal abandonment incidents have reached a three year high
The RSPCA have released statistics today (22/11) which show a 15.7% rise in the number of pets being abandoned in Gloucestershire since 2020.
Already this year 225 animals have been dumped in the area.
The charity said the rise is due to the effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
It is likely this will worsen over winter, a time the charity usually sees a spike.
Owners are being urged to ask for support if they are struggling, and to utilise the RSPCA services such as their pet food banks.
Dermot Murphy, who heads the RSPCA frontline rescue teams, said: “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.”
Suzanne Norbury, the RSPCA’s South West regional press officer, said: “Rescue centres are absolutely full.
“If people have got space, we would encourage them to adopt not shop and give a rescue animal a second chance.”