Target: Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK
Goal: Demand urgent measures to address the epidemic of pet abandonment during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The UK is facing an alarming rise in the abandonment of pets, with reports indicating a nearly 25% increase in the first ten months of 2025 compared to the previous year. The distressing statistics highlight that over 24,000 cases of animals being discarded have been documented, with chilling accounts of pets, such as the seven terrified terrier-cross puppies left in a cage during a storm, being heartlessly abandoned without food or water. This situation reflects not just a growing crisis for animal welfare but also the heartbreaking reality of many families forced to make agonizing decisions about their beloved pets due to financial strain.
The RSPCA’s findings suggest that the ongoing cost of living crisis is causing significant distress among pet owners, leading to severe neglect and abandonment. With an overwhelming 70% of pet owners expressing worry about the financial burden of caring for their animals, the charity’s call for help is urgent. Heart-wrenching incidents have surfaced, such as a critically ill terrier discarded in a sports bag and puppies found dehydrated in a bin bag. These cases underscore not only the severity of the situation but the need for immediate and effective interventions to prevent further cruelty and suffering among vulnerable animals.
Action is needed now to protect these innocent lives, and to support pet owners in need. It is crucial to implement programs that provide financial assistance, food banks, and education to ensure animals are not abandoned in their time of need. This petition demands immediate, strong measures to address the crisis of animal abandonment and urges stakeholders to collaborate in protecting pets and ensuring they receive the care they deserve.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear PM Starmer,
The recent surge in animal abandonment across the UK has created a heartbreaking scenario that cannot be ignored. Reports of nearly 25% more cases in 2025 reveal alarming statistics, with over 24,000 incidents documented, showcasing a desperate cry for help from pets left behind amid a severe cost of living crisis. Disturbing accounts, including terrified puppies abandoned without food during harsh weather and a critically ill dog discarded in a sports bag, demonstrate the urgent need for action.
As the RSPCA reports, many families are struggling to manage the financial burdens associated with pet ownership, leading to neglect and abandonment. It is distressing to see pets being left behind in such cruel manners, merely because their owners were unable to provide for them in difficult times. There must be immediate and coordinated responses to alleviate this crisis, including enhanced support measures for pet owners and increased resources for animal welfare organizations.
We urge you to take a stand against this epidemic of animal abandonment by promoting programs that support struggling pet owners and ensuring that no animal is left to suffer in silence. It is imperative to implement strong measures that protect these innocent beings from neglect and cruelty. We demand that you prioritize addressing this critical issue to help ensure that every pet can find the loving and secure home they deserve.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
