Animal abandonment incidents in England and Wales have soared to a three year high, with Cumbria also seeing an alarming increase, according to the latest statistics from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Incidents in Cumbria have risen sharply in comparison to 2020.

The shocking statistics show that abandonments have been spiralling amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

As of October, the RSPCA has recorded 17,838 incidents of animal abandonment across England and Wales this year, a figure that might reach 21,417 in 2023 if the present pattern continues.

This represents a considerable increase from the 16,118 reports lodged during the whole of 2020, and the number of abandonment cases reported in 2021 (17,179) and 2022 (19,645).

The bleak picture of animal abandonment is also mirrored in Cumbria, where the charity is on course to receive 157 reports this year, a 30 per cent surge compared to 2020.

Dermot Murphy, who heads the RSPCA frontline rescue teams, said: “The combined effects of the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis has created a perfect storm - and means we expect more animals than ever will need our help this year.

"Abandonment calls to our emergency line are now at a three-year high, as we respond to an increasing number of animals being given up and dumped.

“Behind these shocking statistics are thousands of vulnerable animals. Each one is a valuable life in urgent need of our help.

“We’re desperately concerned about the coming winter months in Cumbria- abandonments have soared and many rescue centres are full to bursting, so we are facing an unprecedented winter crisis.

“Our rescue teams are set to be busier than ever this Christmas - so we need animal lovers to join the Christmas rescue and donate to help us be there for animals in desperate need as neglect and abandonment soars.”

For nearly 200 years, the RSPCA has been committed towards providing safety, care, and compassion for animals.

Mr Murphy said: “We’ll continue to do so for as long as we’re needed but we can’t do that without the support of fellow animal lovers. Together, we could save more lives.

“The support of the public helps neglected and abandoned animals in so many ways - from buying soft, warm bedding and nourishing food for an animal who’s desperately cold and hungry, to funding vital vet care for an animal who’s suffering and in pain.”

This Christmas, the RSPCA is launching its 'Join the Christmas Rescue' campaign.

Visit: www.rspca.org.uk/jointherescue/christmas