2011 – Another awful year for animal abandonments

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The RSPCA is urging people to think before they act after the number of calls to the charity about abandoned animals rose for the fifth year running.

Last year, the charity took 28,162 abandonment calls, compared to 27,755 in 2010. In 2007, the total was just 21,481 - giving a 31 per cent rise over five years.

There was some good news - the December total for 2011 was 1,997, the lowest it has been since 2008, when the charity received 1,878 calls during the same month.

The RSPCA also received fewer calls (313) about abandonments during the first five days of January 2012, compared to 390 in the same period in 2011.

Inspector Tony Woodley said: “Usually we see many more abandonments in the summer rather than around Christmas, and the fact that the number of abandonments last December had decreased is slightly encouraging.

“Although it is tempting to blame the economic situation, we have no real idea of why the number of abandonments is increasing overall, but it is so frustrating to think that the messages about caring for animals just aren’t getting through to some people.”

Inspector Woodley continued: “People might think they are doing the right thing, leaving their pets where they think they will be found, or they may feel they have no other option.

“Whatever the reason, owners have a legal responsibility to seek help for their animal and if this means making a bit of effort to find a good new home, or just waiting a few days until someone can take the animal in, this is what they must do.”

The RSPCA needs the help of the public now more than ever. If every pet owner made the following few simple New Year resolutions, there would be far fewer abandoned animals.

The RSPCA is asking people to: 

• only take on an animal where you are confident you can provide for it
• neuter your pets to reduce the chances of unwanted litters (discounted services are often available to those on low incomes)
• microchip your pet so if it does go missing it can easily be traced back to you
• make sure you can afford veterinary treatment before taking on an animal