AN animal charity is encouraging Barnsley residents to join the ‘Christmas Rescue’ campaign after shocking figures revealed the number of animal abandonments in the county.

In South Yorkshire, the latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 727, up from 615 in 2021 when the cost-of-living crisis began – an 18 per cent increase.

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

And sadly now, during the winter months, the RSPCA expects the crisis to worsen as more people struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas time with presents to buy and extra food shopping – coupled with a rise in energy bills.

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “Right now, far too many animals are suffering behind closed doors. But as long as animals are in desperate need this Christmas, we won’t stop.

“So please, Join the Christmas Rescue and together we will bring joy and safety to animals.

“For thousands of terrified and injured animals, we’ll turn the worst suffering into the best Christmas yet – because it will be the one where their lives change forever, and the start of many happier Christmases to come.”