More than 33,000 animals rehomed in West Midlands since 2013 - RSPCA

The charity has branches across the West Midlands, including in Burton upon Trent, Stafford, Wolverhampton and Staffordshire north

The RSPCA says it has found new homes for more than 33,000 animals across the West Midlands in the past decade.

The charity is marking its 200th year in 2024 and said although it has helped so many animals, abandonment was currently at a three-year high.

Through its branches in Burton upon Trent, Stafford, Wolverhampton and Staffordshire north, staff have helped microchip over 9,000 pets.

Nationally, the charity has rehomed 405,839 pets since 2013, it said.

But last year, the RSPCA said it received 72,050 reports about animal abandonment and neglect across the country - higher than in 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said more animals needed help, but rehoming had been declining sharply leaving centres "full to bursting".

"We are also faced with increased bills and less donations due to the cost of living crisis which is one of the biggest challenges facing animal welfare right now - and this economic hardship is continuing into our 200th anniversary year," he said.

"But we are determined to rise to the challenge and help animals and pet owners who need us more than ever."

Figures provided by the charity show more than 10,000 animals were rehomed in both Staffordshire and the West Midlands, about 8,000 in Warwickshire and 5,000 across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

The charity is pushing for a ban to prevent live animals being given away as prizes and in November, Staffordshire Moorlands District councillors said they would review the policies for events held on council land.