An animal welfare charity has warned that the number of abandoned pets reported in Buckinghamshire rose to a three-year high in 2023 and is expected to keep climbing.

A senior figure at the RSPCA said he is ‘desperately concerned’ about an ‘unprecedented winter crisis’ of animal abandonments in Buckinghamshire over the next few months.

The charity is on track to receive 191 reports of abandoned animals in the county this year, which will mark a 20.8 per cent rise on the number of reports received in 2020.

The trend in Buckinghamshire is not unique – over 3,000 further abandonments are projected to take place across England and Wales before the end of the year, presenting the RSPCA with a potential 32.9 per cent three-year rise.

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.

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“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.”

He urged members of the public to provide donations to help fund the care of animals who are in “desperate need” of the charity's services.

“Public support 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.”

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