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87% of it’s frontline rescuers fear neglect of pets will rise this festive season, according to the RSPCA’s survey results.
Rescuers fear that the rise in pet ownership during the pandemic and pets bought on impulse will result in more animals being neglected this year. Some 84% are also concerned more people are taking on pets without understanding how to care for them.
According to the association, being able to provide appropriate care for pets topped the reasons the officers worry animals will be abandoned or neglected this Christmas – with 95% listing the cost of care, including vet and grooming costs as their number one reason for neglect.
The survey also revealed that the RSPCA rescuers believed loss of interest in a pet is a contributing factor to abandonments and neglect at this time of year
Last year, the charity said it received one call every minute last December. One report of an abandoned animal every hour and took 70 rescue animals into RSPCA care every day.
There were 3,916 reports of animal neglect in December, with 12,344 throughout the winter across England and Wales.
Dermot Murphy, chief inspectorate officer, said: “ This year we are concerned that the rise in pet ownership could mean some have taken on pets on impulse which may lead to more people abandoning or neglecting their animals.
“We will be out there every day this Christmas for the animals who need us most, bringing them to safety, but we can’t do it alone. We rely entirely on donations to keep our rescue teams on the road.”
