The RSPCA has reported a disturbing rise in the number of animals being abandoned by their owners in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with cases increasing by nearly 25% since 2021. Last year, the animal welfare charity recorded 260 incidents of abandonment in the two counties.
The charity believes that the ongoing cost of living crisis is a key factor contributing to this rise in pet abandonments. Boris Lasserre, an inspector for the RSPCA, called the figures “quite shocking” and stressed that there is never an excuse for abandoning an animal.
Lasserre emphasized that there are resources and support available for people struggling financially. “The UK has an unrivalled animal charity network,” he explained. “There’s plenty of people out there ready to provide you with food, help you with your vet bills, and assist in rehoming your animal.” Despite this, more people are abandoning pets, including dogs left in remote locations and sick kittens discarded in cardboard boxes.
In addition to the outdoor abandonments, the RSPCA is also witnessing an alarming rise in cases of “hidden neglect,” where animals are left behind in squalid conditions within homes. Lasserre noted that in these instances, people leave their animals as if they’ve simply abandoned their furniture, leaving behind filthy environments for the animals to suffer in.
Another factor contributing to the rise in abandonments is “have-a-go” breeders who breed animals for profit but abandon them once the market for those animals drops. When demand decreases, people simply discard their unsold animals, often in cruel ways.
One of the most distressing cases the charity is investigating involves the discovery of dozens of domestic rabbits found dead, dying, or sick in a field in Chaddesley Corbett, highlighting the severity of the issue. The RSPCA continues to urge people to seek help and consider all available options before abandoning their pets.