Two seriously ill cats have died after being dumped outside a Melksham vets.
The black and white cats were left in a grey and red carrier outside a practice in the town at around 7.40am on 10 July.
Both animals – an older male and a female – were infested with fleas and so anaemic and unwell they, following a battle to save their lives, had to be put to sleep.
RSPCA Chief Inspector for Wiltshire, Lewis Taylor, said: “We understand that a lot of people are sadly struggling financially at the moment as times are hard during this cost of living crisis.
“However, we would urge anyone who can no longer afford to keep their pet to please reach out for help from friends or family or charities.
“There is never an excuse to abandon an animal.I am now appealing for anyone with information to please contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
“This sad case highlights why we’ve launched our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help our frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty. ”
The news comes as the RSPCA raises concerns about a sharp increase in abandonments – 9,748, compared to 8,551 in the first six months of 2022, an increase of 14%.
June saw a huge rise of 34% in abandonments compared to last year – 2,047 in 2023 up from 1,527 in 2022.
The animal welfare charity’s Animal Kindness Index found that a growing number of people are finding keeping pets more expensive, and worried about the costs of feeding their animals.
Lewis added: “In the tough financial climate, the RSPCA will keep doing everything we can to keep pets in loving homes, and support owners.
“We’ve committed £1.5million of extra funding to crisis measures and have launched a new Cost of Living Hub, and a dedicated telephone helpline, while our pet food bank partnerships continue to go from strength to strength.
“While more and more animals are coming into our care, we’ve sadly seen the number being rehomed slow down so we’re also appealing to anyone thinking of welcoming an animal into their life to please consider giving a rescue animal the second chance they desperately need.”
