RSPCA fears a rise of animals being abandoned during festive season
The charity says it's braced for a surge of abandoned and neglected pets
The RSPCA has launched a Christmas appeal for help as the charity is braced for a surge of abandoned and neglected animals as pet ownership soared during lockdown.
Last December, the RSPCA says it still received one call every minute, one report of an abandoned animal every hour, and took 70 rescue animals into RSPCA care every day - despite England and Wales having strict restrictions in place.
It says during the pandemic, pet ownership has surged with estimates of more than 3.2m people taking on new pets. With the return to work, the end of furlough and the rise we are seeing in prices and energy bills as we get closer to Christmas, they fear the increased stress and pressures will see a rise in abandonment, neglect and even abuse of animals.
In the East Riding of Yorkshire, for example, there were 47 reports of animals being abandoned last winter - including 12 in December.
It says animal abandonment levels have risen to almost pre-pandemic levels and the charity fears this festive season could be even busier.
'Animals will be left for days on their own to fend for themselves'
Dermot Murphy, who heads the RSPCA frontline rescue teams, said officers will be saving animals across England and Wales throughout the festive season, including Christmas Day.
He said: “Our frontline rescue teams are braced for the worst this Christmas. We usually see two types of pet abandonment at Christmas and both are heartbreaking.
“Every year we get reports of people leaving their pets while they visit family and friends. This year is a four day holiday and many people will want to make-up for not being able to see family and friends so some animals will be left for days on their own to fend for themselves.
“It’s not acceptable to simply leave extra food and water for most pets if you are going away.”
Dermot added: “It’s a sad reality that some pets will be turned out on the streets this Christmas and we are braced for even more of that happening as the bills are rising, there are presents to buy or the commitment needed to own a pet becomes too much.
“Please never abandon a pet. Don’t be too proud to ask for help.
"We will rescue dogs this Christmas and help them but it will take everyone who cares about animals to respond to this Christmas emergency. With almost no government funding, we rely entirely on donations to keep our rescue teams on the road.
“Please, however you choose to support us, animals urgently need your help this Christmas. Our teams will be working day and night, doing whatever it takes to rescue every animal we can. Join the rescue and together we can bring them to safety.
“After another exceptionally tough year, this Christmas, more than any, should be a time for joy and togetherness. A time to be safe inside, loved and protected from the cold.
“But for thousands of innocent animals this is sadly not the case. Cruelly treated, neglected and abandoned, many face a Christmas of continued abuse or slow starvation, without warmth or affection. We are often their only hope, so we must do whatever it takes to rescue animals who desperately need us and stop their suffering.”
Find out more on their website.