RSPCA reveals 'shocking' increase in animal abandonment in Cambridgeshire

Figures released by the RSPCA as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign show that Cambridgeshire has seen a 7 percent increase in animal abandonment since the start of the cost of living crisis in 2021. The number of reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 261, which is up from 243 in 2021.

The figure for England and Wales as a whole is a staggering 51 percent increase in animal abandonment during the winter period. Reports to the RSPCA rose from 3,071 between November 2020 to January 2021 to 4,630 between November to January 2024.

The RSPCA believes that animal abandonment surges during the winter period as people struggle with the increase in spending around Christmas time and rising energy bills. This, alongside the cost of living crisis and the rise in pet ownership throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, has caused people to get rid of their pets.

READ MORE: Cambridgeshire braces for strong winds as Met Office issues weather warning

READ MORE: Flood warnings and alerts in and around Cambridgeshire

More animals, such as two kittens that were found near Holme Road in Yaxley, are being left to fend for themselves. The kittens were aged around six months old and were found by a member of the public who took them home and kept them safe.

Animal Rescue Officer Naomi Sadoff, who investigated the cats' abandonment, said: "We are grateful to the member of the public who found these poor kittens and kept them safe. They had been found inside a black holdall bag and there were some biscuits inside. Neither cat was microchipped.

“Both kittens were very friendly and it’s so sad to think someone just abandoned them in this way. Fortunately they went on to be rehomed once they were returned to good health."

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.”