Three ‘helpless’ puppies found dumped in Edgware alleyway, as RSPCA warns of rising cases of abandonment

Three ‘helpless’ puppies have been found dumped in an alleyway in Edgware by the RSPCA, as the charity reveals a 25% rise in incidents of pet abandonments.

The eight week-old trio were discovered dumped in a rusty cage on Friday November 25 by frontline officers and were brought to Finsbury Park Animal Hospital.

This comes as the RSPCA launches its Christmas campaign in response to rising concerns about neglect and abandonment.

RSPCA animal rescue officer, Holly Walker, said: “These helpless little puppies had been cruelly dumped in an old cage with no food or water.

“The two little boys and one girl are only about eight weeks old, still too young to look after themselves.

“I immediately took them to our Finsbury Park Animal Hospital, where they are being treated for mange, an unpleasant and uncomfortable skin condition which results in bald patches.

“Thankfully, the puppies seem to be quite happy and settled, and once their mange has cleared up, they will be cared for at a boarding establishment before being found forever homes."

The animal welfare charity has seen a shocking 25% rise in the number of abandonment incidents being dealt with by its rescue teams this year, with a 13% rise in neglect incidents being dealt with by teams.

The charity says a decline in puppy sales has also caused unscrupulous breeders to dump dogs which no one wants to buy.

Heartbreakingly, some of them have not survived or have sadly died shortly after arriving in RSPCA care.

Holly added: “Sadly, we’re starting to see the results of rising costs on pet owners. More animals are coming into our care, more animals are being abandoned, and fewer animals are being rehomed.

“This is why we have launched our Christmas appeal to help raise funds so we can keep rescuing and rehoming pets in need like these pups  - and we are urging the public to support us.

“Maybe this was an unplanned litter and the owners panicked when faced with the prospect of feeding and caring for three tiny lives.

“However, it’s completely irresponsible to abandon these vulnerable puppies like this and we’d like to hear from anyone who knows where they might have come from.

“Anyone with information should call our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

Dermot Murphy, who heads the RSPCA frontline rescue teams, said: “We’re extremely sympathetic to anyone struggling with rising costs at this difficult time but we’re begging people not to dump their pets. It is never the answer. Please, please ask for help.

“We’ve sadly seen a shocking rise in the number of incidents of animal abandonment and neglect our rescuers are dealing with. My fear is that we’ll see increasing cases of animals neglected and abandoned this Christmas as families struggle with soaring bills.

“We are doing what we can to help, especially trying to keep pets in loving homes, but we are struggling too.

“Our branches and centres are full to bursting and we have hundreds of pets waiting to get in. We really need animal lovers to help us get through this crisis time.”

According to the RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index, 78% of owners admitted that they were worried the cost of living crisis would impact their pets, with 19% of pet owners worried about feeding their pets, and 28% worried about being able to care for their pets.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care you can visit their website or call their donation line on 0300 123 8181.