‘Animals are starving behind closed doors’ – warning as pet neglect rises to 30 per cent in Suffolk

“Animals are starving behind closed doors'”.

That’s the message from the RSPCA, who have today (Thursday, December 4) revealed a heartbreaking 30% rise in neglect reports in Suffolk exposing an animal welfare crisis.

New figures from the animal welfare charity show that up to the end of October, its emergency line received 73,294 reports of neglect in England and Wales – a 30pc increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The startling statistics highlight the challenges facing RSPCA rescuers amid a worrying winter for animals.

The pet neglect surge has led the charity to launch an urgent appeal – The Big Give Back to Animals – which is calling on animal lovers to help raise vital funds to help the charity’s rescuers cope with rising demand for help.

In Suffolk alone, the charity has received 816 reports about neglected animals in the first 10 months of this year – a heartbreaking 30pc rise compared to 660 in the same period last year.

In total in 2024 there were 769 reports about neglected animals in Suffolk made to the RSPCA.

One of the many animals rescued by the RSPCA currently looking for a home in Suffolk is Arnold.

Arnold (pictured above) came into care with the team at RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch following welfare concerns in his previous home.

When he first arrived at the centre, it was clear that he’d had very little socialisation with people.

He’s perfectly happy entertaining himself—playing with toys, exploring his surroundings and generally keeping himself busy.

With the combination of time, patience, hands-off socialising and his love for food, Arnold has begun to grow more comfortable.

He no longer hides away, however, Arnold still has a long journey ahead before he’ll feel fully confident around people and because of this, Arnold is looking for patient, understanding adopters who will place no pressure on him to be touched, and who can provide a calm, predictable environment.

If Arnold isn’t the right match for you, there are more rescue animals who have been saved from cruelty and neglect in search of a home on the RSPCA rehoming site.

RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: “Animals are facing shocking levels of neglect right now – they are often starving behind closed doors and being left without the treatment they urgently need.

“The truth is, times are desperately tough – and innocent animals are tragically the ones paying the ultimate price.

“The heartbreaking surge in neglect reports has already shattered our records and we fear for what is to come over the winter months.

“These are not just statistics; behind the staggering numbers are individual animals, all who desperately need and deserve our help to survive.

“It’s unbearable to see the pain in their eyes but that’s the reality facing so many animals and our rescuers fighting to save their lives.”

The Big Give Back to Animals is a rallying cry for animal lovers to help the RSPCA.

The new neglect data follows statistics released by the charity last month which showed reports of abandoned animals have also sky-rocketed this year – with incidents raised with the RSPCA rising by more than 23pc in the first 10 months of the year, with 24,270 incidents up to the end of October.

Simon added: “Our emergency teams are under real pressure – but we’ll keep being there for animals experiencing the worst cruelty and neglect.

“That’s why The Big Give Back to Animals is raising funds for our officers on the frontline.

“In addition to responding on the frontline for animals, as a charity we’re doing all we can to keep animals in loving homes.

“Amid the tough financial climate, we’ve committed extra funding to crisis measures; launched an online cost of living hub, and expanded our pet food bank partnerships.

“But this vital work is only made possible by the kindness and generosity of our supporters.

“Every single donation goes directly toward building a better world for every kind of animal.”

More information on the RSPCA’s ‘Big Give Back to Animals’ can be found on the charity’s website.