ANIMAL abandonments are at a three year high in Warwickshire.
There has been a 35.9 per cent rise in incidents, compared with 2020, according to figures released by the RSPCA.
There were 207 reports of animal abandonment in the county this year, which the animal welfare charity is putting down to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
And the sobering picture in Warwickshire is being mirrored across the whole of the UK.
Already this year, up to the end of October, the RSPCA has received 17,838 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales – which, if such trends continue, would equate to 21,417 reports over 2023.
This compares with 16,118 reports during the whole of 2020, meaning the RSPCA is on course to see an eye-watering 32.9 per cent rise in abandonment calls this year.
It’s higher too than the number of reports received in 2021 (17,179) and 2022 (19,645).
Dermot Murphy, who heads the RSPCA frontline rescue teams, said: “The combined effects of the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis has created a perfect storm – and means we expect more animals than ever will need our help this year.
“Abandonment calls to our emergency line are now at a three-year high, as we respond to an increasing number of animals being given up and dumped.
“Behind these shocking statistics are thousands of vulnerable animals. Each one is a valuable life in urgent need of our help.
“We’re desperately concerned about the coming winter months in Warwickshire. Abandonments have soared and many rescue centres are full to bursting, so we are facing an unprecedented winter crisis.
“Our rescue teams are set to be busier than ever this Christmas – so we need animal lovers to join the Christmas rescue and donate to help us be there for animals in desperate need as neglect and abandonment soars.”
In September, a white rabbit was abandoned in a cage outside an RSPCA Coventry and District Branch charity shop, in Coventry.
The white rabbit was left in a small hamster cage – and was nicknamed Norman by an RSPCA animal rescue officer.
Norman is now looking for a forever home from the RSPCA’s animal centre at Newbrook in Birmingham.
Dermot added: “For nearly 200 years, the RSPCA has been working tirelessly to bring animals to safety and give them the expert treatment and compassion they deserve.
“We’ll continue to do so for as long as we’re needed but we can’t do that without the support of fellow animal lovers. Together, we could save more lives.
“The support of the public helps neglected and abandoned animals in so many ways – from buying soft, warm bedding and nourishing food for an animal who’s desperately cold and hungry, to funding vital vet care for an animal who’s suffering and in pain.”
