The RSPCA is gearing up for its busiest time of the year, with alarming new statistics revealing that the charity received 25,230 reports to its cruelty line between December 18, 2023, and January 2, 2024. Notably, 775 calls were made on Christmas Day alone.
Robert Hartley, RSPCA chief inspector for Oxfordshire, expressed disbelief at the abandonment of pets during the festive season, stating, "It is unimaginable that anyone could abandon a pet at any time of year, let alone Christmas." Last year, the charity saw a 23% increase in abandoned animals during this period, often left in appalling conditions.
In total, there were 1,089 reported cases of animal abandonment during the 2023/2024 holiday season, compared to 884 in 2022/2023. The RSPCA reported that 660 dogs and 369 cats were left to fend for themselves.
One notable case involved a cat named Freya, who was rescued after being abandoned in a filthy flat in Greater Manchester for nine days over Christmas. An RSPCA inspector responded to a report on Christmas Day but could not gain entry to the flat. Seals were placed around the door to monitor the situation, and during a follow-up visit, it was discovered that Freya was trying to escape through a gap at the bottom of the door.
With the help of Greater Manchester Police, the inspector was able to rescue Freya, who was found to be severely underweight at just 1.1 kg. She was later adopted by her foster carer, Helen Howlett, who expressed her gratitude for the RSPCA's efforts, saying, "Freya has brought so much joy to our lives." The RSPCA has reported a 25% increase in animal neglect cases in the first half of this year, raising concerns that the situation may worsen as more pet owners face financial difficulties this Christmas.