Cat died after being dumped in Plymouth creek with legs tied

The RSPCA has revealed a shocking increase in animal abandonment in Devon - such as one "disgraceful" case in Plymouth which saw a cat sealed up in a bag and chucked in a creek.

The incident is just one in a multitude of worrying cases across the country which have been tracked by the animal charity, highlighting the rising number of animals abandoned during the winter months.

The RSPCA has found that in Devon alone there has been a 25 percent increase since the cost of living crisis began while the national figure of abandonments across England and Wales has risen by an appalling 51 percent

The county-by-county breakdown of figures highlight the battle frontline rescuers now 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 Devon latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 389 up from 311 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began. Nationally the RSPCA received 3,071 animal abandonment reports during the winter period - November to January 2021. Last winter - November 2023 to January 2024 - this rose to a staggering 4,630 pets who were reported to have been left to fend for themselves.

In total 20,999 abandonment reports were made to the charity’s emergency line in 2023 and according to latest 2024 figures - which currently run up to the end of October - has seen 19,067 reported so far this year. If the trend continues then 2024, there will be almost 23,000 reports.

Before the cost of living crisis the number of reported abandonments during 2020 stood at 16,118 reports - showing a 30 percent rise in calls in just three years.

In an effort to explain the rise in abandonments, the RSPCA has noted the combination of the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the increasing financial hardships due to soaring living costs which has, in turn, led to an increase in people dumping their pets.

In 2021 the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association said householders bought 3.2m pets during lockdown - driven by Generation Z and Millennials. The demand inevitably outstripped the usual supply abilities of breeders, resulting in the cost of puppies rocketing. A study by the Dogs Trust found that many breeds of dog sharply rose with "popular" breeds such as Dachshunds, pugs, French bulldogs and Chow Chows costing first hundreds, and then thousands of pounds more than the pre-Covid period.

In July 2020 the Dogs Trust raised concerns that this boom in pet ownership would, in turn, result in a surge in abandoned pets after the coronavirus crisis came to an end.

Similarly, the Cats Protection League noted a rise in the costs of kittens during lockdown - and a sharp rise in the number of sick and diseased kittens being sold. The charity also feared a rise in abandonment - and in October this year confirmed it had seen a 30 percent rise in people abandoning cats during 2024.

As predicted, and particularly during the winter months, the RSPCA has said it 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: "We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of calls reporting pet abandonment to our emergency line during winter with an eye-watering 51 percent rise in three years. Sadly we expect the trend will continue as more pet owners face financial hardship at this time of year more than any other.

"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 - like Jack and Poppy pictured (right) who were left to starve on a filthy mattress but were rescued by the RSPCA and have since been rehomed.

"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."

One such case highlighted by the RSPCA which chills the heart took place in Plymouth. The charity said a male Bengal cross was found with his front legs tied together inside a black fabric cat carrier that had been sealed shut with cable ties. He was found in Kinterbury Creek in Plymouth by a member of the public on Saturday, August 12.

RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr, who launched an investigation for the animal welfare charity, said: "Sealing a cat inside a carrier and throwing it into a watercourse is a disgraceful way to treat an animal. It was so sad and with the cat being tied up in the bag the circumstances of his death did look suspicious."

The male cat was microchipped and called Dallas. He was aged about 16 months-old but there were no owner details on the microchip and so the RSPCA launched an appeal for help after the shocking discovery.

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."

The RSPCA has urged anyone who finds themselves struggling, to use one of the many reputable animal welfare charities who offer help and advice, and they encourage anybody in a difficult situation to seek support.

The RSPCA have launched a dedicated cost of living hub to signpost the help out there for owners and we also have more than 200 Pet Food Bank Partnerships across the country to support struggling pet owners.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "It’s the responsibility of us all to show kindness and compassion to all animals; everyone for every kind. If you find an abandoned animal, it’s important to get them the help they need as quickly as possible, so we have lots of advice on our website to help the public help animals themselves.

"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 our website."

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