RSPCA reports 23% increase in pets left to fend for themselves at Christmas
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveThe RSPCA has revealed that 23% of pets were left abandoned or at home alone during the Christmas period in 2023.
Statistics show that the charity had 25,230 reports made to its cruelty line between December 18 last year and January 2, 2024. There were an average of 158 calls an hour, including 775 on Christmas Day alone.
The charity has also revealed that during the festive period there were 1,089 reported cases of animals left abandoned in the home during this timeframe in 2023/24 compared to 884 during the same period in 2022/23. In total, 660 dogs and 369 cats were fend for themselves during this period, some trapped terrified and completely alone, and not knowing if anyone would save them.
Lynsey Avery, RSPCA chief inspector for Tyne and Wear, said: "It is unimaginable that anyone could abandon a pet at any time of year, let alone Christmas. Last year we saw a 23% increase in animals abandoned in the home over the Christmas period - often while their owners went away celebrating the festive season without giving a thought for the care of their pets - who were often left in appalling conditions."
One RSPCA case study focused on a starving cat named Freya who was left starving in a rubbish-strewn property in Greater Manchester last year. Greater Manchester Police entered the property, after a request from an RSPCA inspector. Both cats were rescued and have now been rehomed and are doing well.
The RSPCA revealed last week how it has seen an almost 25% increase in animal neglect reports during the first half of 2024, and fear the problem is about to get worse as more pet owners face financial hardship this Christmas. The charity announced last month that 20,999 abandonment reports were made to its emergency line in 2023, compared to 16,118 in 2020 - a rise of 30% in just three years.
A surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and increasing financial hardships of soaring living costs have led to the alarming rate, the RSPCA says. They expect the crisis to worsen during the winter months as more people tend to struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas, coupled with an increase in energy bills.
The RSPCA pointed anyone in need towards its dedicated cost of living hub to help outline and signpost the help out there for owners and reminded owners of more than 200 Pet Food Bank Partnerships across the country to support struggling pet owners. For more information on the RSPCA Winter Appeal, go to the charity's website.
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