RSPCA campaign reveals extent of cat cruelty across the North-West

Over 2000 complaints were recorded across Greater Manchester. Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire last year

Kittens rescued by the RSPCA
Author: Erin WilsonPublished 27th Jul 2023
Last updated 27th Nov 2023

Figures released by the RSPCA as part of the Cancel Out Cruelty campaign this week has revealed a spike in cruelty against cats.

Across Greater Manchester there were 912 cat cruelty complaints made last year.

There were 409 made in Merseyside. 612 made across Lancashire and 83 in Cumbria.

The campaign has been launched in a bid to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.

The RSPCA sees cruelty peak in the summer with three reports made every single minute.

It is not known why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although factors like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more, could be one factor.

Contributing factors to the increases in these statistics include the aftermath of the pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and the RSPCA’s vital services are stretched to the limit.

The RSPCA say they're working hard to rescue animals in need.

Dr Sam Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said:

“Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 11 million pet cats in UK homes but our figures suggest sadly they are the second most abused pet - after dogs.

“It is heart-breaking to think that five cats every day are suffering at the hands of humans - it really is appalling - but sadly the RSPCA knows all too well that this cruelty is carried out on a regular basis.

“We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty - being beaten, burned, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.

“In many cases these pets have been injured deliberately by their owners - the very people who are supposed to love and protect them. But cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”

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