RSPCA reports rise in number of neglected pets

Six-year-old cat Jack was rescued by the RSPCA in Cornwall

An animal charity has expressed concern for the wellbeing of pets this Christmas as it reports an increase in cruelty cases in both Devon and Cornwall.

The RSPCA said it had seen an increase of 19% in the number of neglect incidents it had dealt with in Devon between January and September this year and a 14% increase in Cornwall during the same period, compared to 2023.

The RSPCA said it believed the increase in incidents was due to a rise in pet ownership during Covid-19, combined with current financial difficulties faced by many pet owners.

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 to buy and extra food shopping - along with energy bills."

The neglect figures were released after the charity announced that 20,999 abandonment reports were made to its national emergency line in 2023, compared to 16,118 in 2020 - a rise of 30% in just three years.

In Cornwall the number of incidents has increased from 494 in the first nine months of 2023 to 562 in the first nine months of 2024.

In Devon the number of incidents has increased from 875 in the first nine months of 2023 to 1,038 in the first nine months of 2024.

The RSPCA released the statistics as part of its Join the Christmas Rescue campaign.

Miss Hirst said: "To help more neglected animals we must work together.

"We're calling on everyone who believes that no animal should be left to suffer this Christmas to donate to our appeal today."