Animal neglect to rise over Christmas, RPSCA warns

Incidents of animal neglect are likely to rise over the festive period as pet owners struggle with the increased cost of living at Christmas, the RSPCA has warned.

Across East and West Sussex, 1,096 reports were made to the animal welfare charity's cruelty line between January and September this year – a 12% increase on the same period in 2023.

Kent had the highest number of reports in the south-east of England with 1,471 and Surrey saw the largest increase of reports year on year (27%).

RSPCA superintendent Jo Hirst said: "Sadly, we expect the crisis to worsen as more people tend to struggle with increased costs around Christmas time with presents and extra food shopping, along with energy bills."

In Surrey, 624 reports were made in the first nine months of this year, compared with 490 in the same period in 2023.

And there was an increase of 14.5% of reports of neglect in Kent, with the number increasing from 1,285 to 1,471 – the fifth highest in the UK.

Ms Hirst said the "shocking" statistics were due to an increase in pet ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic and the current financial hardships faced by many.

"We fear this upsetting trend will continue," she said. "But we can make a difference, which is why we are asking the public to support our appeal, Join The Christmas Rescue."

Ayla, a terrier cross rescued in February, arrived at the Sussex North and Brighton Branch site with ear and eye infections.

After months of treatment, the canine is looking to find a permanent home having spent the last six months at the home of one of the charity's foster carers.

A staffie cross named Mabel required surgery after she was found just weeks before Christmas in Surrey, so emaciated and starved she was unable to stand unaided.

"Her owner said she had been refusing to eat for a few days but when offered food by the vet she devoured it," RSPCA inspector Leanna Hone said.

"She had such a sad look on her face and these big, beautiful brown eyes which stared into your soul – my heart broke for her and what she'd been through."

Mabel has since been re-homed in Camberley.

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