Dog abandoned at gates at RSPCA Newport Animal Centre as incidents rise

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It comes as the charity reports a 61% rise in abandonment incidents in Wales

The RSPCA is urging people not to abandon their pets and to seek support after a dog was left abandoned outside RSPCA Newport Animal Centre.

The bull breed – aged only a year or two – was left tied to the gates at the centre in the early hours of Tuesday 5 December at around 12.30am.

The person who left the dog was caught on the centre’s CCTV – with the charity issuing an appeal for information. 

RSPCA inspector Sophie Daniels said: “We are very saddened that this poor dog has been dumped at one of our centre’s gates.

“He has a good temperament and is friendly but wasn’t microchipped. He must have been very frightened and confused being left there in the cold. 

“We know times are tough at the moment and the cost of living is really affecting families who are struggling with their pets and the costs that come with them.

“But we ask for people not to abandon and dump these animals – but to seek help from charities and organisations out there.

“A misunderstanding about the true cost of pet ownership is one of the main reasons why we believe that animals end up being abandoned and we’d urge people to do their research and to consider rescuing instead of buying.” 

The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with first hand information to get in touch via 0300 123 8018 and to quote reference number 1193369.

This incident is yet another abandonment across Wales – with the RSPCA fearing many more to come this winter.

Up to the end of October, the animal welfare charity had received 17,838 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales – which, if such trends continue, would equate to 21,417 reports over 2023. This compares with 16,118 reports during the whole of 2020, meaning the RSPCA is on course to see an eye-watering 32.9 percent rise in abandonment calls this year. It’s higher too than the number of reports received in 2021 (17,179) and 2022 (19,645).

While in Wales specifically – abandonment reports have risen 61% – from 997 in 2020 to a projected 1,610 this year. This compared to 1,192 reports in 2021 and 1,419 in 2022. 

Sophie added: “We’re desperately concerned about the coming winter months in Wales. Abandonments have soared and many rescue centres are full to bursting, so we are facing an unprecedented winter crisis. 

“Our rescue teams are set to be busier than ever this Christmas – so we need animal lovers to join the Christmas rescue and donate to help us be there for animals in desperate need as neglect and abandonment soars.”

This year the RSPCA is asking supporters to Join the Christmas Rescue by donating to help rescue teams reach the thousands of animals who desperately need them.