Press release: Thursday, 01 November 2012

Animal cruelty, neglect and suffering are reaching unprecedented levels in modern times according to the RSPCA, the UK’s largest animal welfare charity.

Gavin Grant, CEO of the RSPCA, issues a stark warning today, stating that animal rescue charities are being overwhelmed with animals in dire need, stretching them to breaking point – all at a time when public generosity is under real pressure.

The RSPCA alone reports a massive 65 per cent increase in the animals abandoned over the last five years as pet owners struggle to make ends meet since the recession began. This equates to a potential 40,000 additional animals requiring care . Over the same period, and despite efficiency savings, the charity’s running costs have risen 8 per cent from £111m to £120m .

With household finances under increasing strain, many people are finding that they can’t afford to keep an animal. The number of new homes for rescued animals available to the RSPCA is also falling, with nearly 4,000 fewer dogs and over 6000 fewer cats adopted by the public in 2011 compared to two years previously. That situation has deteriorated further in 2012.

Daily care costs for rescued and abandoned animals are also rising. The daily rate for a rescued animal in an RSPCA welfare centre, including food, housing and staff care, is £15 for a dog and £9.40 for a cat . Both species are now taking nearly ten per cent longer to rehabilitate and rehome than a year ago .

Meanwhile the number of abandoned and abused horses has soared. With over 600 horses in their care alone, the cost to the RSPCA is £3.7m for this year .

With many of the RSPCA’s own animal rescue and rehoming centres already at capacity, the charity is increasingly reliant on private boarding to house abandoned and abused animals.

However, spaces are limited, meaning the charity faces a very real danger that within the foreseeable future, it may be forced to turn vulnerable animals away.

Since the RSPCA reported its annual cruelty statistics in April this year , it has seen yet further evidence of rising animal cruelty and neglect, citing a four per cent rise in cruelty cases logged this year to date .

The charity is currently responding to over 25,000 calls a week from the public and has seen a 23.5% rise in cruelty convictions in the last five years. The first nine months of this year alone have seen 1,176 cruelty convictions by the RSPCA, a six per cent rise on the same period in 2011 (1,108 convictions).

As the number of animals in desperate need grows, welfare expenditure by the RSPCA - which relies entirely on public donations - is already exceeding forecasts set for 2012, as its rescue centres and inspectors are stretched to their limits.

Furthermore, the charity projects a further 6,000 dogs and cats will be abandoned between now and the end of the year at a cost of nearly £5m .

As a result, RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant today calls for emergency help from the nation’s animal lovers.

He says: “The recession may be over but these are very dark times for its silent victims – the animals. They have never needed our help so desperately.

“Preventing cruelty and helping the animals most in need are the RSPCA’s absolute priorities but the number of abused and abandoned animals is soaring.

“At the same time, we have more animal abusers to investigate, prosecute and hopefully prevent from hurting animals than anyone can remember.

“This is a real crisis and despite the immense dedication of our staff and volunteers, we are struggling to cope. We really need our country’s animal lovers to step forward and open their hearts, homes and purses in these extremely difficult times.”

To donate to the RSPCA’s urgent Animal Welfare Crisis Appeal:

Text 'Crisis' now to 70007 to give £5 (Text costs £5 + one standard network rate message)or call the Emergency Appeal Line on 0300 123 8181 or go online and donate

at: www.rspca.org.uk/crisisappeal

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Please note that no regional breakdown of the statistics is available.

Please see PDF for full notes to editors