The RSPCA is braced for 2,000 calls a day this festive season as it launches its Kindness at Christmas Appeal to help care for abused, neglected and sick animals.
Some 218 incidents were reported to the RSPCA on the Isle of Wight during December 2016 alone, according to new figures from the animal charity.
From poorly, unwanted pets callously dumped on the streets to animals and wildlife deliberately cruelly treated, RSPCA inspectors are preparing to see heartbreaking cruelty and neglect this festive season.
The animal welfare charity expects to take in around 19,000 animals in need this December and January and desperately needs your help to care for them.
RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said:
“It’s a sad fact that every day at work throughout the year can be tough for our inspectors and animal welfare and collection officers, but winter really does come with its own challenges and issues. In fact, we expect to take in somewhere in the region of 19,000 animals this winter alone.
“During the festive season alone last year, we rescued over 25,000 animals, many of whom had been cruelly abandoned, injured or abused. But we also saw so many acts of kindness by animal lovers, from the passer-by who rescued a shivering and sick puppy days before Christmas, to those who reported suffering animals to our cruelty hotline or volunteers caring for animals in our centres and branches.
“We are asking animal lovers across the country to show kindness this Christmas by supporting our winter appeal.”
Article continues below this advertisement
For more information visit www.rspca.org.uk/winterappeal.
