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RSPCA reveal increase in animal abandonment in Cambridgeshire




The RSPCA has revealed an increase in animals being dumped in Cambridgeshire with 261 reported incidents last year.

Shocking figures released by the RSPCA today show the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by a massive 51% in just three years.

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.

These kittens were found dumped in Terrington St Clement
These kittens were found dumped in Terrington St Clement

In Cambridgeshire latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 261 up from 243 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 staggering 51% increase.

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.

Poppy and Jack were found abandoned in a filthy empty flat with their dead sibling
Poppy and Jack were found abandoned in a filthy empty flat with their dead sibling

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

It’s a shocking trend with a year-on-year increase in the number of abandonment reports, climbing from 17,179 in 2021 to 19,645 in 2022.

Sadly this is the reality for animals like a litter of four kittens who were found abandoned in a field in Attleborough in August.

The number of animals being dumped has risen dramatically in recent years
The number of animals being dumped has risen dramatically in recent years

They were found by a member of the public roaming free and they managed to collect them and take them to Feline Care Cat Rescue nearby.

The eight-week-old kittens were covered in fleas and the incident was reported to the RSPCA. Animal Rescue Officer David Allen said: “We are so thankful that the kittens were found and collected by a member of the public. They would have been very vulnerable if they had not been found.”

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.

This cat was found abandoned locally
This cat was found abandoned locally

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% 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.

This is one of the many animals abandoned in Cambridgeshire this year
This is one of the many animals abandoned in Cambridgeshire this year

“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 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.”

Abandoned pets like Jack and Poppy who were locked in a filthy flat slowly dying, have since been rehomed by the RSPCA.

The two neglected puppies were found terrified and emaciated after they had been left barricaded in a flat by a fridge freezer in filthy conditions with no food and water when their owners moved out of the property.

The RSPCA was alerted to their plight in September last year after a neighbour reported their suspicions that dogs had been abandoned in the flat.

Rescuers managed to enter the property and found the two severely underweight Staffordshire bull terrier-type puppies lying on a filthy mattress - along with their dead sibling - surrounded by faeces, urine and flies.

Inspector Anthony Joynes, who helped the pups, said: “Poppy and Jack were one of the saddest sights of my career - they were like skeletons and were suffering fur loss due to a severe skin condition. They looked so depressed and it was almost as though they had given up on life.”

They were taken in by the RSPCA to be rehabilitated and successfully rehomed.

Ian added: “Right now, far too many animals are suffering behind closed doors. But as long as animals are in

“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.”

To help the RSPCA rescue more animals visit rspca.org.uk/winterappeal

For those who find themselves struggling, there are many reputable animal welfare charities who can offer help and advice and we 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 there is also more than 200 pet food partnerships across the country to support struggling pet owners.

Ian 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 the charity’s website to help the public help animals themselves.

“If you find a small pet like a cat 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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