May 12, 2020 4.46 pm This story is over 45 months old

More than 40 abandoned animal reports during lockdown in Lincolnshire

Over 1,600 reports have been sent to the charity’s cruelty hotline nationwide

By Local Democracy Reporter

The RSPCA has received more than 40 calls to abandoned animals since the start of lockdown in Lincolnshire.

Abandonment figures were released by the animal welfare charity as part of an emergency appeal to keep rescue teams on the road.

In Lincolnshire, there has been reports of 44 abandoned animals to the charity’s cruelty hotline since the beginning of lockdown on March 23.

Across the whole country, the charity has received more 1,600 reports, averaging at 40 a day.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA rescue teams, said: “Although much of the country is on lockdown, sadly there are still thousands of animals who need our help, including abandoned pets.

“Many people are finding their pets are a real source of comfort in these anxious times and thankfully cases of abandonment are slightly lower than usual, but it’s heartbreaking that some animals are being dumped during this crisis.”

Since the government introduced lockdown measures, the RSPCA has responded to more than 27,000 incidents, with the number of animals in care growing by hundreds.

To try and protect animals during the COVID-19 pandemic, the charity is urging pet-owners to make emergency pet-care plans should they be admitted to hospital.