THE NUMBER of animals abandoned in the West Midlands during the winter period has increased by 37 per cent – according to an animal charity.
The RSPCA has released the statistics to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.
In the West Midlands latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 1,287 up from 940 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began.
Nationally, the charity received 3,071 animal abandonment reports between November 2020 to January 2021 and last winter this rose to 4,630 reports – a 51 per cent increase.
The RSPCA say before the cost of living crisis the number of reported abandonments during 2020 stood at 16,118 reports – showing a 30 per cent rise in calls in just three years.
The RSPCA believes the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the increasing financial hardships due to soaring living costs have led to the increase in people dumping their pets.
And sadly now, during the winter months, the RSPCA expects the crisis to worsen as more people struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas time with presents to buy and extra food shopping – coupled with an increase in energy bills.
RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “Our rescuers are regularly coming across dogs in poor health, collapsed and left in isolated spots to suffer a lingering death; sick kittens discarded in cardboard boxes who are lucky to be found alive; or pet rabbits dumped in the wild with little chance of survival against predators.
“With the cost of living crisis we are also seeing people having to move out of properties due to financial pressures, and we are increasingly coming across pets who have been left locked in homes alone after their owners have moved out.
“Heartbreakingly, we are seeing many pets left in their own filth – with no food or water, no-one to care for them and no idea if anyone will come to help them.
“Thanks to the public supporting us we are able to rescue many animals, rehabilitate them and find them new homes – but to continue this life-saving work we need your help.”
Among the abandoned animals were six cats – including a pregnant mum.
The cats were rescued by the animal welfare charity after being left in cardboard boxes and cat carriers in Wolverhampton on March 12. They were all covered in fleas and had been left without food or water.
They went on to be cared for by the RSPCA before they were found new homes.
Ian added: “Right now, far too many animals are suffering behind closed doors. But as long as animals are in desperate need this Christmas, we won’t stop.
“So please Join The Christmas Rescue and together we will bring joy and safety to animals. For thousands of terrified and injured animals, we’ll turn the worst suffering into the best Christmas yet – because it will be the one where their lives change forever, and the start of many happier Christmases to come.”
If you find a small pet who has been abandoned, take them directly to a local vet or rescue centre.
These teams can call in the expertise of our teams if there’s evidence that the animal has been neglected or abused. There’s more information on how to safely handle and transport an animal on the RSPCA’s website.
If you find a dog you believe has been abandoned, please contact your local authority’s stray dog service.
