The number of animals abandoned in Berkshire has increased by 35 per cent since the cost of living crisis began.

This is according to new figures released by the RSPCA, which show a worrying rise in the number of animals being abandoned across England and Wales during the winter period.

The statistics are part of the charity's Join The Christmas Rescue campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the struggle frontline rescuers face during the cold months.

In 2023, the number of abandonment reports in Berkshire reached 193, up from 144 in 2021.

(Image: RSPCA)

The RSPCA believes the increase in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown, coupled with the financial strain caused by rising living costs, is responsible for the surge in people abandoning their pets.

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: "We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of calls reporting pet abandonment to our emergency line during winter, with an eye-watering 51 per cent rise in three years.

"Sadly, we expect the trend will continue as more pet owners face financial hardship at this time of year more than any other."

The charity received 3,071 abandonment reports from November to January 2021.

However, this figure rose to 4,630 during the same period in 2023-24.

The total number of abandonment reports in 2023 was 20,999.

According to the latest 2024 figures, which are available until the end of October, 19,067 reports have been made this year, suggesting a potential total of almost 23,000 by the end of the year.

Mr Briggs added: "Our rescuers are regularly coming across dogs in poor health, collapsed and left in isolated spots to suffer a lingering death; sick kittens discarded in cardboard boxes who are lucky to be found alive; or pet rabbits dumped in the wild with little chance of survival against predators."

An example of this is two rabbits, found abandoned in a wire cage in Berkshire.

They were discovered by a taxi driver, who took them home and reported the matter to the RSPCA.

The rabbits, now named Jessica and Roger, are in the care of the charity and will be rehomed.

(Image: RSPCA)

RSPCA animal rescue officer Chloe Wilson said: "We’re really grateful to the person that found these rabbits, as they were in a very vulnerable position, having been abandoned inside a cage in a car park.

"I dread to think what could have happened to them if they hadn’t been found."

The RSPCA has launched a dedicated cost of living hub to provide support for struggling pet owners, along with more than 200 pet food bank partnerships across the country.