The RSPCA has revealed the scale of abandoned animals across Bristol and nationally. In 2021, there were 235 abandoned animals reported to the charity in Bristol alone.
Since the turn of 2022, there have already been 170 abandoned animals made aware to the RSPCA - a 14 per cent increase from January 2021 to July 2021.
It is feared that a combination of a huge rise in pet ownership during the pandemic coupled with the cost of living crisis is putting a strain on people's finances and means even more animals are being given up this year.
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One particular case study in Bristol saw an 8ft long boa constrictor rescued after being discovered near some bins in Lawrence Weston. The RSPCA was contacted by Avon and Somerset Police after a member of the public made the bizarre discovery.
A spokesperson for the animal welfare charity said: "The snake was one of the many animals we rescued following abandonment last year. The snake was discovered by a member of the public on August 11 2021.
"They called the police who contacted our rescuers. The snake was taken to a reptile specialist for care before rehoming."
Dermot Murphy, chief inspectorate officer at the RSPCA, said: “The idea of putting your cat in a cat carrier and taking them to a secluded spot in the woods before walking away, or chucking your dog out of the car and driving off leaving them desperately running behind the vehicle, is absolutely unthinkable and heartbreaking to most pet owners - but sadly we are seeing animals callously abandoned like this every single day.
“We understand that sometimes the unexpected can happen - the pandemic and cost of living crisis proved that - but there is never an excuse to abandon an animal. There are always other options for anyone who has fallen on hard times and can no longer afford to keep their pet.”
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