RSPCA received 329 reports of abandoned pets in 2021

The RSPCA has received 329 reports of abandoned animals in 2021, and 185 reports in the first seven months of this year, all in Dorset.

The information has transpired as part of the charity’s Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, which revealed a total of 38,087 abandonment reports made nationwide to the charity’s cruelty line last year.

Dogs were the most abandoned pet last year, with 14,462 reports of dumped dogs made to the RSPCA, but the charity also dealt with thousands of abandoned cats and exotic pets.

In June, an underweight bearded dragon was found abandoned in heathland near Bournemouth by a member of the public.

They took the bearded dragon home and kept him warm until RSPCA inspector Charlotte Le Brun collected the reptile and took him to a vet for treatment.

The abandoned bearded dragon

Charlotte said: “Sadly it is not unusual for us to be called out to collect abandoned reptiles. Many people are unaware of how much of a commitment these animals are when they take them on.”

The charity fears that a huge rise in pet ownership during the pandemic coupled with the cost of living crisis putting a strain on people’s finances means even more animals are being given up this year.

Read more: Cost of living crisis impact on dogs and owners

Dermot Murphy, chief inspectorate officer at the RSPCA, said: “The idea of putting your cat in a cat carrier and taking them to a secluded spot in the woods before walking away, or chucking your dog out of the car and driving off leaving them desperately running behind the vehicle, is absolutely unthinkable and heartbreaking to most pet owners - but sadly we are seeing animals callously abandoned like this every single day.

“We understand that sometimes the unexpected can happen - the pandemic and cost of living crisis proved that - but there is never an excuse to abandon an animal. There are always other options for anyone who has fallen on hard times and can no longer afford to keep their pet.”