'There’s an epidemic of animal abandonment and neglect': Number of pets dumped in Shropshire rises ahead of 'grim winter'
The number of pets being dumped in Shropshire is on the rise, the RSPCA has said, as the charity appeals for funds to curb the "epidemic of animal abandonment".
Reports of animals being abandoned in the county have risen by 8.1 per cent in the first 10 months of the year, ahead of a potentially “grim winter" for pets, the RSPCA has said.
Up to the end of October, 161 incidents of an animal being abandoned or dumped in Shropshire had been raised with the charity's emergency line. That’s compared to 149 incidents reported during the same time period last year.
Among the incidents dealt with by the RSPCA was the discovery of two kittens, aged between only five and six weeks old, found tied to a fence in Craven Arms.
One of the kittens - which had bailing twine around its neck - was sadly found to have died, and a second kitten tied by its paw was still alive but was injured.
This surviving kitten was taken to a vet by the member of the public who found them, but sadly due to the severe injuries the kitten had, the kindest decision by the vet was made to put it to sleep.
This male black kitten had sustained a degloved paw injury, resulting in exposed phalangeal bones and was also brought into the vets with purple spray on its wounds.
RSPCA animal rescue officer (ARO) Megan Cross said: “This is a very upsetting incident. This must have been a very distressing discovery for the walkers who found these poor kittens and we’d like to thank them for taking the kitten to the vets.”
The charity has launched an urgent appeal - The Big Give Back to Animals - in the hope of raising vital funds for its frontline officers.
The charity said it fears for animals across Shropshire over the winter season with "plummeting temperatures and dark nights" placing animals at even greater risk from abandonment.
Last winter, 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 167 abandonment incidents in Shropshire alone last winter.
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.
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 10 months of this year - an abandonment incident was reported to the RSPCA’s emergency line every nine minutes it was open.
RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for many pets, and we have seen a dramatic and heart-breaking 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.”
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.
