The RSPCA is set to unveil 'alarming' statistics on pet abandonment.

The figures, which show a significant rise in the number of animals being discarded by their owners since the onset of the cost-of-living crisis, will be released next week.

The figures will be made public on Monday, November 25, as part of the charity’s 'Join The Christmas Rescue' campaign.

This initiative aims to raise awareness during the winter months when abandonment rates typically surge.

The increase is often attributed to the financial burdens Christmas brings for many pet owners.

The statistics will reveal a stark year-on-year rise in pet abandonment from 2020 to 2023, with projections indicating an even higher number by the end of 2024.

The pandemic-driven surge in pet ownership has also contributed to this worrying trend.

The RSPCA has reported an increasing number of animals being dumped in bins, left in locked homes, or even tied to trees.

The charity will provide both national and regional press releases, case studies, and imagery under embargo on November 25.

The release will contain annual data from 2020 to 2023, as well as the latest figures for this year.

Regional media will also receive data detailing the number of abandonment reports on a county-by-county basis.

The RSPCA is bracing for an increase in these figures as the winter months approach.