'Animals are starving behind closed doors' says the RSPCA, who have revealed a heartbreaking 30% rise in neglect reports in the area, exposing an animal welfare crisis.
The pet neglect surge has led the charity to launch an urgent appeal - The Big Give Back to Animals - which is calling on animal lovers to help raise vital funds to help the charity’s rescuers cope with rising demand for help.
In Buckinghamshire alone, the charity has received 685 reports about neglected animals in the first 10 months of this year - a 30% rise compared to 527 in the same period last year.
In total in 2024 there were 639 reports about neglected animals in Buckinghamshire made to the RSPCA.
One of the many animals rescued by the RSPCA currently looking for a home locally include Arabella.
Arabella (pictured) arrived in RSPCA care after being found abandoned and fed over a garden fence, but despite her difficult start she has remained a loving, gentle girl who adores people and fuss.
There are many more rescue animals who have been saved from cruelty and neglect also in search of a home on the RSPCA rehoming site.
“Animals are facing shocking levels of neglect right now - they are often starving behind closed doors and being left without the treatment they urgently need,” said RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne, “The truth is, times are desperately tough – and innocent animals are tragically the ones paying the ultimate price.
“The heartbreaking surge in neglect reports has already shattered our records, and we fear for what is to come over the winter months.
“These are not just statistics; behind the staggering numbers are individual animals, all who desperately need and deserve our help to survive.It’s unbearable to see the pain in their eyes but that’s the reality facing our so many animals and our rescuers fighting to save their lives.”
“Every year, we secure loving homes for tens of thousands and rescue countless animals from desperate cruelty and neglect but we need help to rescue, heal and protect the rising number of mistreated animals in desperate need of urgent care.”
Simon added: “Our emergency teams are under real pressure - but we'll keep being there for animals experiencing the worst cruelty and neglect.”
For more information on how you can help, visit RSPCA’s ‘Big Give Back to Animals’
