Heartbreaking figures released by the RSPCA as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign have revealed 32 cat cruelty complaints were made on the Isle of Wight last year.
Nationally, last year, there were almost 18,000 cat cruelty complaints* reported to the RSPCA. Of those reports 1,726 were intentional harm incidents** – which is around five a day. This is a 25% increase from 2021 when the number was 1,387.
The charity has released the heartbreaking figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, in a bid to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.
It comes during a busy time for the animal welfare charity which sees cruelty peak in the summer with three reports made every single minute.
The cost-of-living crisis is also thought to be a contributing factor to an increase in deliberate harm to animals at a time when the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and the RSPCA’s vital services are stretched to the limit.
Dr Sam Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said:
“Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 11 million pet cats in UK homes but our figures suggest sadly they are the second most abused pet – after dogs.
“It is heart-breaking to think that five cats every day are suffering at the hands of humans – it really is appalling – but sadly the RSPCA knows all too well that this cruelty is carried out on a regular basis.
Article continues below this advertisement “We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty – being beaten, burned, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.
Paul Williams, chief inspector for Hampshire, said:
“Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.
“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.
It is not known why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although factors like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more, could be one factor.
The RSPCA is the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty in England and Wales with a team of frontline rescue officers, specialist vet teams and a network of animal care centres and 140 branches providing rehabilitation to animal victims.
As the only charity in England and Wales investigating cruelty and rescuing animals, the RSPCA needs support to stay out on the frontline:
£2 could help to provide a meal for a cat or dog in our care
£6 could help pay to feed a dog for a day in our care
£10 could help pay towards bandages for a cat or dog
£15 could help pay for a cat or dog’s clinical exam
£20 could help pay towards a bird catching kit
£30 could help pay for a life jacket for an inspector
£100 could help pay towards water rescue equipment
£500 could kit out a 4×4 inspector van
The RSPCA’s frontline teams are working hard to rescue animals in need this summer but we can’t do it alone – we need your help to Cancel Out Cruelty. To help support the RSPCA, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/cruelty
WTF is wrong with people..
Whoever is doing this, need their arms broken. Sick in the head comes to mind. They need to be punished. All animals should be loved and cherished.
Except the ones that you eat no doubt. Double standards all round.
What about rats? A much maligned animal.
Catch the Offenders who are obviously not normal, must be gone in the head and
lock them up for life.
These lunatics will never be any good for society.
I agree and the same punishment for anyone who eats animals too.
But cows aren’t cute and they taste so good nomb nomb nomb
At least the animals I eat are dead when I consume or cook them.
Jacket spuds have rights, you know.
These “people” are consummate bullies – cruelty to them seems to be acceptable so long as it’s not actually happening to them. Karma will get them sooner or later. It is infallible.
Well it clearly isn’t. History shows that plenty of “bad people” get away with their crimes, unless you consider death sufficient punishment but that comes for us all in the end. Depends on your beliefs concerning the afterlife and whether punishment occurs.
Any reports of cruelty inflicted by cats, on the islands innocent and harmless wildlife?
We now live in a godless society
Please please put me in a room with one of these scumbags… We should do to them whatever pain they have inflicted on the cat…