There have been more than 1,000 incidents of an animal being abandoned so far in the West Midlands this year, ahead of a potentially “grim” Winter for pets.
Up to the end of October, 1,085 incidents about an animal being abandoned or dumped in the West Midlands had been raised with the charity’s emergency line.
That’s similar to the 1,082 incidents reported during the same time period last year.
And with charity rescuers braced for a further surge in reports over the Winter months, the RSPCA has launched an urgent appeal – The Big Give Back to Animals – in the hope of raising vital funds for its frontline officers.
The charity fears for animals across the West Midlands over the Winter season with “plummeting temperatures and dark nights” placing animals at even greater risk from abandonment.
Across England and Wales, 24,270 abandonment incidents have been reported so far this year – a rise of almost 23 percent compared with the same time period last year (19,727).
That means – in the first ten months of this year – an abandonment incident was reported to the RSPCA’s emergency line every nine minutes it was open.
Last Winter (Nov-Jan), 5,902 incidents of animal abandonment were raised with the charity – and there are fears the upward trend of cases is set to continue in the coming months.There were 273 abandonment incidents last Winter in the West Midlands alone.
Reports of animal abandonment will this year reach their highest point in at least six years – and issues like the ongoing cost of living crisis mean animals need the RSPCA’s support to “survive, heal and thrive” now more than ever.
RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for many pets, and we have seen a dramatic and heartbreaking rise in abandonments this year.
“And with Winter upon us, with plummeting temperatures and dark nights, we fear things could get even harder in the months to come.
“Sadly, animal abandonment has become so problematic and so tragically widespread, that we’ve seen more incidents every month this year when compared to 2024; and reports have been rising year after year.
“There’s an epidemic of animal abandonment and neglect, meaning our officers are needed now more than ever to respond to those animals in the most urgent need of help.”
Layla abandoned before RSPCA rescue
Layla is just one of the animals saved by the RSPCA in recent years. She was rescued by RSPCA officers from a filthy, faeces-filled and rubbish garage. Tragically, a second dog was found dead beside her.
Vets gave her a body condition score of two out of nine – she weighed 27.25kg (60.1lb). Layla was admitted to an RSPCA hospital and started on intravenous fluids, given antibiotics and pain relief. She was placed on a high calorie diet with a feeding plan to help her gain weight.
Toni Boyle, a veterinary nurse at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital, described her as “the most adorable dog” who “very loving and loved cuddles” and loved by the team caring for her.
RSPCA Inspector Louise Marston, who rescued Layla, said: “She looked incredibly sad when I first saw her. In my 12 year career, I have never seen a dog act like this and it was painful to witness, especially given the environmental conditions and the physical conditions.
“I could see that the ground was littered with rubbish which was filthy and covered with dog faeces. There was dog faeces everywhere and it was covering rubbish
“She was dehydrated and extremely thirsty; a veterinary nurse put some fresh water in a bowl and at the sound of the water running, Layla went to the sink with her ears pricked. She drank continuously for approximately 40 seconds, to the point where we had to remove the bowl from her before it made her sick.
“Layla has since made a full recovery and has found a happy home. Her journey has been amazing and makes everything we do so worthwhile and is the reason RSPCA’s Big Give Back to Animals is here to help other pets like Layla escape from such awful situations and give them a happy life.”
Grim picture – and a tricky Winter ahead
And countless more animals need help.
Overall in 2024, 23,564 abandonment incidents were reported to the RSPCA – higher than in 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
And that “depressing” trend will continue in 2025 – with calls already higher than the whole of 2024, and spiking amid the challenging backdrop of the cost of living crisis, economic uncertainty and people’s increasingly busy lives.
Urgent funding needed to keep reaching animals
Rising numbers of calls is placing added pressure on RSPCA officers on the frontline.
The Big Give Back to Animals is raising vital funds for the charity, helping them to bring more abandoned and neglected animals to safety, where they can be given urgent care and treatment.
Simon added: “Times are tough, right now – and animals are paying the price. Reports of abandonment are set to reach their highest mark in at least six years, and the worst could be yet to come as we enter a grim Winter period.
“But animals are sentient; they feel joy, fear, love and pain, just like we do. They give us so much, and ask for so little. Sadly, without help, many animals will die this winter – scared, suffering, and unloved.
“Thankfully, there is hope – and I am so proud of the RSPCA’s efforts to help dumped pets survive, heal and thrive, and go onto a better life. Every year, we find loving new homes for tens of thousands of pets, and rescue countless animals from situations of hopeless cruelty and neglect.
“But none of this work is possible without the kindness and generosity of our supporters. Every pound and penny people give goes towards creating a better world for every kind of animal.”
More information on the RSPCA’s ‘Big Give Back to Animals’ can be found on the charity’s website.
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