More pets being abandoned in England as food and vet bills soar, say charities

Charities in England are sounding the alarm over a troubling increase in pet abandonment, with the RSPCA reporting a record 22,503 cases last year. This surge is largely attributed to the rising costs of food and veterinary care, which many pet owners, particularly those who adopted during the Covid pandemic, are now struggling to afford. The situation has led to a significant rise in animal rescue callouts, with firefighters responding to more than a quarter of such emergencies in the past five years. This trend highlights the urgent need for support and resources for both pets and their owners.