‘Heartbreaking’ Surge in Pets Being Abandoned
Dog and cat owners across England are being alerted to a devastating and growing epidemic of pet abandonment, fuelled by the ongoing cost of living crisis. The RSPCA has reported a shocking and dramatic increase in the number of animals being callously discarded by owners who can no longer afford their care.
Stark Statistics Reveal a Deepening Crisis
The charity has released new data showing that pet abandonments in England and Wales have risen by almost 25% in 2025 compared to the previous year. This alarming trend is creating a severe strain on rescue services nationwide.
Simon Osborne, an RSPCA superintendent, did not mince words, stating, “We have seen a dramatic and heartbreaking rise in abandonments this year.” He expressed grave concern for the coming months, adding, “With winter upon us, with plummeting temperatures and dark nights, we fear things could get even harder. There’s an epidemic of animal abandonment and neglect.”
Personal Pleas and a Call for Action
The crisis is reflected in harrowing individual cases. Áine Maguire, a director at an RSPCA hospital, described one incident caught on CCTV where a person “arrived at 4.06am on foot and left him outside the main front door.” This act of leaving a vulnerable animal in the cold epitomises the desperate situation.
Daniel Cartwright, a branch manager, appealed directly to the public, saying, “It is heartbreaking to think that someone has just discarded them like this.” He strongly urged, “We would urge anyone who is struggling to look after their animals to seek help and support when their pet first needs help, rather than simply abandoning an animal in their moment of need.”
The problem is not limited to cats and dogs. In a stark example from August, a hamster named Nibbles was found dumped in a cage near bins in Slough, though he has since been luckily rehomed. There are also success stories, such as Honey, a dog abandoned in a squalid Dorset property who was adopted after months of dedicated care.
The scale of the issue is immense. Last winter alone saw nearly 6,000 cases nationwide, including 34 in Berkshire and 53 in Dorset. The RSPCA now fears this winter could be the worst for abandonments in at least six years.
Mr Osborne summarised the situation bluntly: “times are tough” and as a result, “animals are paying the price.” In response to the escalating emergency, the RSPCA has launched an urgent fundraising appeal, The Big Give Back to Animals, to support its frontline officers in tackling this wave of suffering.
