The RSPCA has reported a disturbing rise in animal abandonment cases across Devon, including one particularly distressing incident in Plymouth, where a cat was found sealed in a bag and dumped in a creek.
This case is part of a larger pattern of increasing animal abandonment across the country, with the charity highlighting a surge in these cases, especially during the winter months. In Devon, reports of abandoned animals have risen by 25 percent since the start of the cost of living crisis, while the national number of abandonment cases across England and Wales has surged by 51 percent.
The latest figures for Devon show that in 2023, the RSPCA received 389 reports of animal abandonment, up from 311 in 2021, when the cost of living crisis began. Nationally, the number of abandonment reports during the winter months (November to January) jumped from 3,071 in 2021 to 4,630 in 2023-2024.
In total, the RSPCA received 20,999 abandonment reports in 2023, and by the end of October 2024, 19,067 cases had already been reported. If this trend continues, the number of abandonment reports for 2024 could reach nearly 23,000, a 30 percent increase from 2020, when 16,118 cases were reported.
The RSPCA attributes this rise in abandonments to a combination of factors, including a surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the growing financial difficulties caused by rising living costs. During the pandemic, many people, particularly Generation Z and Millennials, purchased pets, leading to an increase in demand that outstripped breeders’ capacity. As a result, the cost of pets, especially popular breeds like Dachshunds, Pugs, and French Bulldogs, increased significantly. This financial strain, coupled with the economic hardships of the cost of living crisis, has led some pet owners to abandon their animals.
The Cats Protection League has also reported a sharp increase in the abandonment of cats, with a 30 percent rise in 2024. The RSPCA warns that this crisis will likely worsen, especially during the winter months when extra financial pressures, such as holiday shopping and higher energy bills, make it even harder for families to care for their pets.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs commented on the shocking rise in abandonment cases, stating that winter months tend to see the highest increase in these reports. He said, “We are seeing a rise in calls reporting pet abandonment to our emergency line, with a 51 percent increase over the last three years. Sadly, we expect this trend to continue as more pet owners face financial hardship during the winter.”
Inspector Briggs also highlighted the extreme cases that RSPCA rescuers are encountering, such as sick kittens discarded in cardboard boxes, dogs left in poor health to die in isolation, and rabbits abandoned in the wild. He emphasized that, in many cases, pets are being left locked inside homes after their owners have moved out due to financial pressures.
One particularly tragic case involved a male Bengal cross cat found in Kinterbury Creek, Plymouth, on August 12. The cat’s front legs had been tied together and it had been sealed in a black cat carrier with cable ties. The cat, named Dallas, was discovered by a member of the public. Inspector Jim Farr, who investigated the case, called the incident “disgraceful” and noted that the circumstances of the cat’s death were suspicious due to the way it had been abandoned.
Despite being microchipped, Dallas’s owner could not be traced, and the RSPCA launched an appeal for help. Unfortunately, Dallas did not survive the ordeal. The case highlighted the growing problem of animal abandonment and the cruelty faced by many animals during the winter months.
The RSPCA is urging the public to support its ‘Join The Christmas Rescue’ campaign to help rescue and rehabilitate animals in need during the winter. They also emphasize the importance of reporting abandoned animals and seeking help from reputable animal welfare organizations if anyone is struggling to care for their pets.
The charity has launched a dedicated cost-of-living hub to guide pet owners through difficult times and has established over 200 Pet Food Bank Partnerships across the country to provide support.
An RSPCA spokesperson reminded the public of their responsibility to show kindness and compassion to animals, urging anyone who finds an abandoned animal to seek help as quickly as possible. They also encourage people to contact local vets or rescue centers, who can provide the necessary care and involve the RSPCA if evidence of neglect or abuse is found.
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