Left out in the cold - why surge in abandoned animals sparks "grim Winter" plea from RSPCA
Hundreds of animals have been abandoned so far this year in West Yorkshire with charity chiefs warning it looks set to be a “grim Winter”.
The RSPCA has responded to 916 incidents of animals being abandoned or dumped across the county and are braced for a surge in reporters.
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They have launched they The Big Give Back to Animals Appeal with fears that more animals will be left with the plummeting temperatures and the dark nights.
The appeal aims to raise cash to support frontline officers to respond to reports.
Among those to be dumped were three little kittens left by the side of a road in a fabric play pen which was covered in faeces and urine.
The soiled and scared nine-week-old kittens were discovered by a member of the public and cared for by the RSPCA Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District Branch.
The little kittens were later named Rigatoni, Penne, and Macaroni before being rehomed.
Reports of animal abandonment will this year reach their highest point in at least six years - and issues like the ongoing cost of living crisis mean animals need the RSPCA's support more than ever.
RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for many pets, and we have seen a dramatic and heartbreaking rise in abandonments this year.
“And with Winter upon us, with plummeting temperatures and dark nights, we fear things could get even harder in the months to come.
“Sadly, animal abandonment has become so problematic and so tragically widespread, that we've seen more incidents every month this year when compared to 2024; and reports have been rising year after year.
“There’s an epidemic of animal abandonment and neglect, meaning our officers are needed now more than ever to respond to those animals in the most urgent need of help.”