The RSPCA released heartbreaking statistics regarding cat cruelty complaints in Yorkshire as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign. In all complaints in Yorkshire totalled 2,112 with 259 of those being made in East Yorkshire.
According to the RSPCA, almost 18,000 cat cruelty complaints were reported nationwide last year. There were 1,726 reports of intentional harm, which is roughly five a day. Compared to 2021, when there were 1,387, this is an increase of 25%.
In an effort to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to rescue animals from cruelty and abuse, the charity has released the heartbreaking figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign.
Three cruelty reports are made every minute in the summer, when cruelty is at its peak for the animal welfare charity.
In a time when the RSPCA’s vital services are stretched to the limits and the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high, the cost-of-living crisis is also a contributing factor to an increase in deliberate harm to animals.
Dr Sam Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said: “Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 11 million pet cats in UK homes but our figures suggest sadly they are the second most abused pet – after dogs.
“It is heart-breaking to think that five cats every day are suffering at the hands of humans – it really is appalling – but sadly the RSPCA knows all too well that this cruelty is carried out on a regular basis.
“We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty – being beaten, burned, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.
“In many cases these pets have been injured deliberately by their owners – the very people who are supposed to love and protect them. But cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”
“Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness. We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every donation will help animals.”
There is no clear explanation for why animal cruelty reports peak in the summer, although one factor may be increased visibility of abuse because people are outdoors more.
With frontline rescue officers, specialist vet teams, a network of animal care centres and 140 branches, the RSPCA is England’s and Wales’ only animal welfare charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty.
The RSPCA’s frontline teams are working hard to rescue animals in need this summer but we can’t do it alone – we need your help to Cancel Out Cruelty. To help support the RSPCA, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/cruelty
