RSPCA Cymru has issued an appeal for information following two recent abandonment incidents in South Wales.
A young adult short haired dark Tortoiseshell cat was taken into a RSPCA Llys Nini Branch charity shop on The Kingsway in Swansea on 4 August by a member of the public who then left very abruptly. The cat had been placed inside a litter tray hooded box that was taped shut.
The second abandonment incident involved two kittens, aged around three months old, who were found at Cardiff Road – where it meets Mill Street – in Treharris in a box on Sunday 6 August. They appeared to have been left at an abandoned doctors surgery that had been boarded up.
RSPCA Cymru is now appealing for information to further its enquiries and for anyone with first-hand information to call the animal welfare charity on 0300 123 8018.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Ellie West said: “Sadly over the weekend there were two abandonment incidents involving cats. It is heartbreaking that these animals were just left, but also very sad that their owners felt they had no other choice to abandon them.
“We would urge those struggling to seek help. There are lots of organisations out there who may be able to provide support and we also have a dedicated cost of living support online hub. Abandoning an animal is not the answer.”
The Tortoiseshell cat is now at RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic.
Elie said: “She is very lovely and now is receiving extra cuddles and attention at the Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic. She has no injuries and is in good condition but it is clearly a concern that she’s been left at a charity shop.”
While the two kittens were found by a member of the public and were taken to a local vets.
Ellie said: “I’ve been to the location to put up a found poster and the box they were found in is still there. It was an old crisp box with the lid clearly taped up heavily. There was a corner opened up but I’m not sure if this was done by the cats or by the person who left them.
“There was a white cushion in the box that had what appeared to be flea dirt on it. There was broken glass all around the area too.
“Luckily both the kittens seem to be in good health apart from needing flea and worm treatment. They are both now safe at RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic and are receiving lots of care and attention from the staff.
“If we’re not able to find owners and find out what happened – these cats will at some point be available for rehoming. At the moment rehoming has really slowed at our centres – so we’d urge those looking to take on a pet to adopt, not shop as we have so many animals looking for homes.”
The RSPCA is the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty in England and Wales with a team of frontline rescue officers, specialist vet teams and a network of animal care centres and 140 branches providing rehabilitation to animal victims. That is why it launched its Cancel Out Cruelty fund-raising campaign to help the charity save more animals like these cats.
Recently the RSPCA revealed that in Wales there were 89 reports of intentional harm incidents involving cats out of 1,072 cat cruelty calls in 2022. Sadly 600 calls were concerning neglect and 66 calls related to cat abandonment.
Ellie added: “While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase in reports of cruelty, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis with more people getting pets with potentially less time and money to care for them.
“The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.”
It is not known why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although factors like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more, could be one factor.
The RSPCA is providing dedicated cost of living support for worried pet owners, which includes a telephone helpline on 0300 123 0650 and an online hub, which has lots of practical tips and advice, including details of pet food bank schemes.
Heartbreaking figures released by the RSPCA have shown that reports of animals being beaten increased by 22% last year – with incidents peaking during the summer months, with three reported every minute. The charity has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty. The RSPCA’s frontline rescuers, volunteers and a network of branches are working tirelessly to save animals this summer but we can’t do it alone. Please help cancel out cruelty, visit rspca.org.uk/cancel.
