Cornwall's RSPCA warns pet owners to take care of animals over Christmas
The charity saw 251 reports of abandoned animals in Cornwall last winter
People with pets in Cornwall are being urged to look after their pets over the Christmas holidays.
The RSPCA are asking people to make a plan for pets ahead of time - making sure their pets are well looked after during the festive season.
RSPCA pet welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “It’s really important to think about how our pets fit into our plans now and to make a plan to ensure that they’re being well looked after.
"If you’re hosting Christmas this year or heading away for the holidays, will your pet be joining in with the fun and will they enjoy that? Or will you be looking for care for your pet while you head off for a festive getaway?"
The animal welfare charity has seen a shocking 25% rise in the number of abandonment incidents being dealt with by its rescue teams this year, with a 13% rise in neglect incidents being dealt with by teams.
The RSPCA fears there could be more to come this Christmas as the cost of living is rising.
Many calls are about animals turfed out in the cold, left in boxes in the woods, or tied up to lamposts; while other abandonment cases relate to those animals who have been left behind while their owners go away and leave them home alone.
Samantha added: “It’s completely unacceptable to leave your pet behind without suitable care over Christmas.
"Leaving cats and other pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and some small furries with some extra food and water isn’t good enough. If you’re planning to go away for a few days then you should be making a proper plan.
"Whether that involves taking them with you getting a friend, relative or neighbour coming in to check on your pet, or whether that means booking them in for boarding. If you have a dog then someone checking in won’t be enough and you need to look at a proper pet-sitter or boarder.
"It’s also important to bear in mind that some pets will really struggle being left home alone for significant periods of time over the Christmas period.
"Make sure they have the company they need and when thinking about our pooches, think about whether they will be happy at home on their own if you’re heading out for Christmas dinner or family drinks, and if you are taking him along to join the fun will he be relaxed and is there somewhere he can go to if the party spirit becomes too much".