Alarming surge in animal abandonments, RSPCA calls for urgent action

The RSPCA has been inundated with reports of abandoned and neglected animals over winter with a shocking 35 per cent rise in cases compared to last year.

From emaciated dogs left for dead to kittens discarded in bins and even tarantulas dumped in the freezing cold, the crisis is worsening as pet owners struggle with the .

The charity has launched a call for support after handling 805 cases of abandoned pets in the first half of January alone—an alarming increase from 594 cases in the same period last year. December also saw a sharp rise, with 1,802 reports of abandonment compared to 1,540 the previous year.

The new figures follow a Sunday Express exclusive showing a 30 percent rise in abandonment calls to its emergency line between 2020 and 2023. The charity says Christmas and New Year have seen the crisis worsening.

It blamed the crisis – owners unable to afford pet food and vet bills, soaring pet ownership and high numbers of ‘unsociable pandemic pups’ being rejected by owners because of complex behavioural problems.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs described the situation as dire: “Our rescuers have been overwhelmed with abandoned animals in horrific states of neglect. Many would not have survived without intervention. Sadly, we believe the cost-of-living crisis, Christmas expenses, and rising utility bills are pushing more people to give up their pets in the most inhumane ways.”

Despite this grim reality, the charity remains committed to saving lives. “Thanks to the public reporting cases, we’ve been able to rescue many animals, rehabilitate them, and find them loving homes,” Briggs added. “But we need continued support to keep this lifesaving work going.”

Among the heartbreaking cases was Peanut, a skeletal lurcher found on New Year’s Day in Bedfordshire. Dumped on a country lane, she was so weak she could barely stand. Every bone in her body was visible, and she was covered in pressure sores, indicating she had been left on hard surfaces for prolonged periods.

The three-year-old dog was rescued by a passerby and taken to a vet, before being transferred to RSPCA Block Fen Centre in Cambridgeshire.

Kennel Supervisor Tiffany Saunders said: “Peanut was lifeless when she arrived, but she is slowly regaining her strength. It’s been touching to see her personality start to shine. The support we’ve received for her has been overwhelming.”

On the same day, two abandoned rabbits were found in a tiny cage outside Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home in the freezing cold. With no shelter from the rain and overnight temperatures plunging to -3°C, their survival was described as miraculous.

Sadly, one of the rabbits had a previously untreated broken leg and had to be euthanised to prevent further suffering. The surviving rabbit is now in foster care and will soon be available for adoption.

In Oldham, a bald and bleeding Cane Corso puppy was found wandering alone near Rochdale Canal. She was suffering from an extreme skin condition, which had left her head and front legs covered in sores and scabs.

A kind-hearted member of the public took her in and alerted the authorities. The 14–16-week-old puppy, named Pearla, is now receiving urgent veterinary care at the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

RSPCA Inspector Jess Pierce said: “She was in a dreadful state. Her skin condition is long-standing and has clearly gone untreated for a long time. It’s heartbreaking to see an animal suffer like this.”

In another heart-rending case a dog, later named Comet, was found bleeding and tied to a lamppost in Wolverhampton. The young dog had suffered three stab wounds and was in desperate need of medical care.

Thanks to quick-thinking passersby, Comet was rushed to RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. He is now recovering at Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home and looking for a forever home.

In Staffordshire, four terrified cockapoos were found tied to a gate in the middle of a quarry. A passing cyclist spotted the shivering dogs and contacted the RSPCA.

Inspector Graeme Brookes, who attended the scene, said: “One of them was so scared she couldn’t even walk. I had to carry her to my van, and she just locked eyes with me, as if pleading for help.” Once rehabilitated, these dogs will be placed for adoption.

In another case, eleven kittens were discovered crammed into a small carrier and dumped in Leicester’s Western Park, while two others were found in a bin in County Durham.

The Leicester kittens—six boys and five girls—were all different ages, indicating they came from multiple litters. The County Durham kittens were discovered after a resident heard meowing coming from a wheelie bin.

Animal Rescue Officer Ruth Thomas-Coxon said: “It was sheer luck their cries were heard in time. We’re grateful to the finder for getting them the urgent help they needed.”

In one of the more bizarre cases, ten pet tarantulas were abandoned in East Sussex. The spiders were left inside rubbish sacks outside Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare before Christmas.

Remarkably, nine of the tarantulas survived and have now been rehomed with specialist keepers.

A severely underweight pony was discovered leaning against a gate in Somerset, too weak to stand. The pony had lice, diarrhea, and no microchip, making it impossible to trace its owner.

The RSPCA fears the animal was abandoned due to poor health and has urged anyone with information to come forward.

The RSPCA is calling for urgent support to help more animals in distress. To donate or get involved, visit .

Inspector Brookes said: “It’s heartbreaking to see so many animals left to suffer. If you’re struggling to care for a pet, there are alternatives to abandonment. Reach out for help—don’t let them become another statistic.”