Emaciated dog, kittens and tarantulas among 3,700 pets abandoned so far this winter An emaciated dog, 11 kittens squeezed into a cat carrier, and 10 tarantulas left in rubbish bags were among the surge of abandoned pets rescued by the RSPCA so far this winter.
"These include an injured stabbed dog left tied up, Peanut the emaciated dog so thin he was hours away from death, kittens dumped in bins, tarantulas abandoned in a box, rabbits left in freezing temperatures, and a neglected pony left to fend for itself.
Commenting on the alarming rise in abandonments, RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: "Our rescuers have been busy dealing with all types of neglected and abandoned pets this winter in horrific states of neglect and many are lucky to have survived but thanks to the public reporting incidents to us we have been able to help.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Bal Dhamia, who is investigating the incident, said: "It's heartbreaking to see a dog abandoned and I could see he was exhausted, still bleeding and in pain when I went to help him.".
"We believe due to the cost of living crisis and the high cost of winter, such as Christmas expenditure and utility bills, more pets have been abandoned - sadly they are often left with no food or water, no one to care for them and no idea if anyone will come to help.
