More than 300 abandoned animals are reported in Wales over Christmas
More than 300 abandoned animals are reported to the RSPCA in Wales over the Christmas period.
The RSPCA is urging people to help them care for animals spending Christmas in its centres and hospitals as part of their 'Stock the Sleigh' campaign.
They are asking people to provide anything from food, medicine, to a warm blanket, treats and toys.
Flintshire saw 46 abandoned animals reported to the RSPCA’s cruelty line last December, followed by 42 in Neath Port Talbot and 33 animals in Carmarthenshire.
Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer at the RSPCA, said: “Christmas is a busy time for us, as sadly cruelty and abandonments do not stop over the festive season and our staff work tirelessly to rescue and care for animals in need."
In total there were 4,074 animals reported as abandoned for England and Wales.
He said: "There were more dogs than any other animal being abandoned over the festive period."
"We understand that people’s circumstances can change which may mean they can no longer cope with their pet but there is never an excuse to abandon any animal like this, as there are other options available to people who are struggling to care for their pets. Dumping a pet leaves the animal extremely scared and vulnerable, especially in the cold winter months."
Last year, eight guinea pigs were left abandoned in a rural car park near Abergavenny over the Christmas period.
It was thought that the guinea pigs – who were all quite young but of various ages – were found loose under a large bush and were likely to have been dumped in between Christmas Day and New Years Eve.
While 40 pet mice were abandoned in a box at Cheshire Oaks last December and a cat was put in a rucksack and dumped in a wheelie bin in Cardiff in December 2018.