RSPCA records 483 reports of cat cruelty in Sussex in 2022

Nationally, last year, there were almost 18,000 cat cruelty complaints related to neglect, abandonment, intentional harm or being left unattended.

Of those reports, 1,726 were intentional harm incidents, which equated to around five a day.

This showed a 25% increase from 2021 when the number was 1,387.

In total, there were 239 cat cruelty complaints in West Sussex in 2022 and 244 in East Sussex bringing it to a total of 483 reports.

Cat cruelty cases are going up on a national level, the RSPCA has said (Image: Canva)

Cat cruelty cases peaking in the summer

Cat cruelty reports tend to increase in the summer, the RSPCA has said, although it is not completely clear why that is.

Factors like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more, could be one factor. 

Patrick Hanby, RSPCA chief inspector for Sussex, said: “Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising. It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.

“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.

“Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months. 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.”

“Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness. We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every donation will help animals.”

The RSPCA runs the Cancel Out Cruelty campaign in a bid to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.