RSPCA figures show more than 500 animals were abandoned in Essex in 2023

WARNING: This article contains images some may find upsetting.

The number of abandoned animals in Essex has jumped up by more than 40 per cent in the last three years, new RSPCA figures have shown. The statistics released today (November 25) show a 41 per cent rise in the county with a 51 per cent rise across England and Wales.

The charity has released the new startling 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 Essex latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 582 up from 414 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began.

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 - which is a 51 per cent increase.

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In total 20,999 abandonment reports were made to the charity’s emergency line in 2023 and according to latest 2024 figures (available up until the end of October) 19,067 have been reported this year - which, if the trend continues, 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.

Sadly, this is the reality of animals like Roxy. The Dogue de Bordeaux was ‘painfully skinny’ when she was found huddled under a hedge in a garden in Boxted, Essex having been abandoned in April.

The three-year-old was rescued by local residents who took her to a vet who contacted the RSPCA due to her neglectful state. She weighed just 29kg (64lb), when a healthy female Dogue de Bordeaux should weigh up to 54kg (120lb) more than that.

RSPCA Inspector Nicky Thorne, who launched an investigation, said: “Roxy was painfully skinny; you can see all of her bones and every single rib. She’s just skin and bone.” She was taken in by a local rescue centre and rehomed.

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: “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 per cent 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.

“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.”

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 dog you believe has been abandoned, please contact your local authority’s stray dog service; you can find out more here.