Shocking figures released by the RSPCA show the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by a massive 51 per cent in just three years.

The charity has released the new statistics to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.

In Warwickshire latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 214 up from 152 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began - a "staggering" 41 per cent increase.

The RSPCA received 3,071 animal abandonment reports during the winter period (November to January 2021).

Last winter (November 2023 to January 2024) this rose to a staggering 4,630 pets who were reported to have been left to fend for themselves - which is a 51 per cent increase.

The RSPCA believes the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the increasing financial hardships due to soaring living costs have led to the increase in people dumping their pets.

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: "We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of calls reporting pet abandonment to our emergency line during winter with an eye-watering 51% rise in three years.

"Sadly we expect the trend will continue as more pet owners face financial hardship at this time of year more than any other.

"Our rescuers are regularly coming across dogs in poor health, collapsed and left in isolated spots to suffer a lingering death; sick kittens discarded in cardboard boxes who are lucky to be found alive; or pet rabbits dumped in the wild with little chance of survival against predators.

"With the cost of living crisis we are also seeing people having to move out of properties due to financial pressures, and we are increasingly coming across pets who have been left locked in homes alone after their owners have moved out - like Jack and Poppy who were left to starve on a filthy mattress but were rescued by the RSPCA and have since been rehomed.

"Heartbreakingly, we are seeing many pets left in their own filth - with no food or water, no-one to care for them and no idea if anyone will come to help them.

"Thanks to the public supporting us we are able to rescue many animals, rehabilitate them and find them new homes - but to continue this life-saving work we need your help."