Staff at the RSPCA’s 14 animal centres including RSPCA Gonsal Farm in Dorrington near Shrewsbury, are getting ready to ensure the festive period is as special as possible for animals recovering from heartbreaking cruelty and neglect.
It has been an incredibly challenging year for the welfare charity with growing cruelty, neglect and abandonment resulting in record numbers of animals in RSPCA care.
This Christmas the charity expects to be caring for 1,000 dogs, more than 1,500 cats, some 400 horses and over 100 rabbits as well as other animals such as small furries and farm animals.
And it will cost more than £56,000 to run the centres and hospitals on Christmas Day alone and more than £1.5 million pounds to keep them running throughout December .
2025 has been one of the most challenging on record for the RSPCA – reports of animals being abandoned have skyrocketed, with incidents reported rising by more than 23% in the first ten months of the year.
And there was a 33% increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period across England and Wales in 2024 compared to 2023.
Chris Butler Manager at RSPCA Gonsal Farm Animal centre said: “Christmas is going to be tough not only at our centre but all RSPCA establishments and the animal welfare sector as a whole. We are all full with rescued animals who need us.
“It’s been such a challenging year with an epidemic of animal abandonment and neglect meaning the RSPCA is needed now more than ever to help these animals in the most urgent need of help.
“While we always make Christmas as special as we can for our animals – with special treats, presents and of course lots of love and attention – what we really want them to have is a home to call their own. If you ask anyone who works in rescue what is on their Christmas wishlist – finding homes for these wonderful animals is always at the top.”
Which is why it is vital we find homes as soon as we can for those who are ready to go on to find their forever family.
To find out more about the animals at Gonsal Farm Animal Centre looking for new homes please visit their find a pet pages.