By KLTV Newsdesk –

The RSPCA has reported a nearly 25% increase in animal neglect incidents for the first nine months of 2024, with West Yorkshire ranking as the second-highest county in England for such reports.

The animal welfare charity recorded 48,814 incidents of neglect between January and September 2024, a significant rise from 38,977 during the same period in 2023.

This equates to an average of 15 reported incidents per hour, or one every four minutes.

In West Yorkshire alone, 2,207 cases of animal neglect were reported, marking a 15% increase from the previous year and positioning the county just behind the London area in terms of the number of reports.

These concerning statistics were released as part of the RSPCA’s “Join the Christmas Rescue” campaign, which aims to support the charity’s frontline staff during the busy festive period.

The counties with the highest reported incidents include Outer London (2,010), Inner London (1,240), West Yorkshire (2,207), the West Midlands (2,148), Greater Manchester (2,135), and Kent (1,471).

The rise in neglect reports follows the charity’s announcement of a 30% increase in pet abandonment cases over the past three years, with 20,999 reports in 2023 compared to 16,118 in 2020.

The RSPCA attributes these alarming figures to a surge in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the current financial hardships facing many pet owners.

The charity, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, fears that the situation may worsen over Christmas as more owners struggle financially.

Inspector Joanne Hartley highlighted the case of Cleo, a severely underweight cat rescued from a property in West Yorkshire. Cleo, along with several other cats, was found in January 2022 following a call from a concerned member of the public.

Cleo weighed only 1.4kg but quickly recovered under the RSPCA’s care, doubling her weight within 17 days.

Another rescue story involved Nero, a two-year-old Pomeranian rescued by the Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch.

Nero had never worn a collar or been groomed and was found with 80% of his coat matted. He has since been rehomed and is thriving with his new family.

RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst expressed deep concern over the 25% increase in neglect calls, especially as the winter period brings additional financial pressures.

She urged the public to support the charity’s “Join the Christmas Rescue” appeal to help frontline workers continue their life-saving efforts.

To support the RSPCA and help rescue more animals, visit rspca.org.uk/winterappeal.

For pet owners struggling to care for their animals, the RSPCA and other reputable animal welfare charities offer support and advice.

The RSPCA has launched a dedicated cost-of-living hub and has over 200 Pet Food Bank Partnerships across the country to assist those in need.

County-by-County Breakdown of Neglect Reports