Animal welfare group in Suffolk says those wanting new pets must consider long-term responsibility
RSCPA data reveals there have been over 190 examples of animals being abandoned in the county in 2023
An animal welfare group in Suffolk says it's vital that anyone thinking of getting a pet this Christmas first considers the long-term responsibility of doing so.
It's as data from the RSCPA reveals that over 190 animals have been abandoned in the county, this year - a 14.5 per cent increase on 2020.
"Think about adopting"
Suzanne Norbury is from the charity:
"We've seen abandonment and neglect reach a three year high. So we are really concerned about the number of animals coming into our care. So, rather than giving a pet as a present we'd encourage people to think about adopting.
"What we're seen in recent times is the impacts of the pandemic where more people have brought a pet into their lives. So we know that people can rush into getting a pet- and then we do find that those animals sometimes come back to our rescue centres."
"Don't advise giving pets away as a present"
"We would really urge anyone thinking of adopting a pet- at any time of the year- to consider that long-term requirement of care for animal. We're talking about the time and money it takes to care for a pet.
"We don't advise giving pets away as a present. Unless it's known that the person getting the present is fully responsible for taking on that pet."