More people abandoning animals, says RSPCA

The RSPCA says animals are increasingly being abandoned inside properties when their owners move out

The RSPCA has seen a sharp rise in the number of animals being abandoned by their owners in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Cases of abandonment reported to the animal welfare charity in the two counties have increased by nearly a quarter since 2021 - with 260 incidents last year.

The RSPCA believes more people are abandoning pets because of the cost of living crisis.

Boris Lasserre, an inspector for the charity, called the figures "quite shocking", adding: "There is no excuse to abandon your animal."

'Hidden neglect'

Mr Lasserre said there was support for people struggling with costs.

"The UK has an unrivalled animal charity network," he said.

"There’s plenty of people out there ready to provide you with food, help you with your vet bills, help you rehome your animal."

As well as seeing dogs left in "isolated spots" and sick kittens "discarded in cardboard boxes", the charity said it was seeing more cases of animals being abandoned inside homes.

"This is hidden neglect," said Mr Lasserre.

"This is behind closed doors. The property is usually in absolutely squalid conditions and the people have just up and left and left the animals as if they’ve left all the furniture behind."

Mr Lasserre added "have-a-go" breeders - who see animals as an easy way to make money - are also contributing to rising cases of abandonment.

"When the bottom falls out of the market of that particular animal, people aren’t buying them over the internet, and then they just get rid of their surplus and dump them wherever they can."

Among the charity's recent work, it is investigating after dozens of domestic rabbits were found dead, dying or sick in a field in Chaddesley Corbett.