RSPCA are urging people across Lincolnshire and Newark not to abandon their pets this festive period
It's after the charity reported that Lincolnshire has one of the highest numbers of abandoned hens and chickens across the Midlands
The RSPCA are warning pet owners across Lincolnshire and Newark not to abandon their animals over the festive period as the cost of living crisis is seeing some people struggle. Instead, the charity are encouraging owners to seek support from local charities, such as The Blue Cross in Grimsby.
The RSPCA are urging pet owners in Lincolnshire and Newark not to abandon their animals over the festive period if they're struggling to afford them.
It's after charity recently reported that Lincolnshire has one of the highest amounts of abandoned hens and chickens across the midlands - it's also thought some owners are also struggling with extra costs due to threat of avian flu.
The RSPCA has said new figures show that the abandonment of the animal is 8% higher than the entirety of 2020. They show that in 2020 there were 1,704 abandoned chickens reported to the RSPCA and up to November there were already 1,841 reports made to their cruelty line.
In the Midlands there have been 194 reports of abandoned chickens since 2020 - with the highest numbers in Lincolnshire, that being at 39.
Daniel Bradshaw, an Inspector for the charity in Lincolnshire, he explains what to do if you are struggling:
"We do have food banks available as well as the Blue Cross up in Grimsby. They have food banks. So if you are struggling to care for your animals then please call for help or attend somewhere like the Blue Cross, or give the RSPCA a call, to help you manage the cost of food and we can get some donated food across to that person."
Sadly, the UK has experienced the worst outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) ever seen this year with high numbers of sick and dying birds being reported. Pet hens have spent the majority of the year housed indoors after a housing order meant they were on ‘flockdown’ for the first five months of the year. Another housing order came into effect for England earlier this month and will come into force for Wales on Friday 2 December.
Pet owners are also advised to follow government biosecurity advice to help protect the health of their birds as well as to try and limit the spread of the virus. All pet poultry owners need to stay vigilant for signs of disease and ill health in their flocks and it’s vital they seek veterinary advice if they have any concerns. Daniel tells us more:
"Well, there's the RSPCA to call and there's also a lot of other charities. So, it's just really doing your research and rather than abandoning any animal, I would advise to ring for help to ensure that animal gets the care that it needs as oppose to abandoning them."
Daniel continued to say that the cost-of-living may be impacting some people's ability to care for their animals:
"The run up to Christmas you do see an influx of abandoned animals and coupled with the financial crisis at the moment. I think people are struggling to pay for the care of their animals and advise for them really, not to abandon them but to ring for help or assistance."