RSPCA reveals 'shocking' increase in animal abandonment in East Yorkshire


In East Yorkshire latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 322 up from 221 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began - a 46% increase.
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.
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Hide AdRSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs said: “We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of calls reporting pet abandonment to our emergency line.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
To support the RSPCA visit the rspca.org.uk/winterappeal website.
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