RSPCA launches campaign against cruelty during 'busiest' summer months as cases still high in Northamptonshire despite decrease from previous year
An animal charity has launched a campaign against cruelty during its “busiest” summer months, as cases are still high in Northamptonshire, despite a year-on-year decrease.
The RSPCA launched its Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues fundraising campaign on Tuesday July 7, as cruelty reports peak over summer. As part of the campaign, the animal welfare charity has released startling new statistics.
Nationally, in June, July and August last year the RSPCA received 6,322 cruelty calls to their emergency line last year. The charity took 3,852 calls for the same period in 2021, which is a massive 64 percent increase in just five years.
In Northamptonshire, there has been a 14 percent decline in summer months reports as there were 57 in 2024 and 49 in 2025, however the figure is still too high.
The RSPCA highlighted one Northampton case where the body of a dog was found tied to a fence in June last year. It is thought the dog had been abandoned, but sadly may have died from heat exhaustion as no water had been left. The dog was only two to three years old.
RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “It’s incredibly alarming that we are seeing year after year of rising reports of cruelty. The summer months are our busiest times of year and our frontline rescue teams, specialist vets, behaviourists, rehabilitation and rehoming teams, will be working tirelessly to help as many animals as possible.
“Today we have launched our Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign to highlight this shocking trend and the work we are doing to save so many animals from horrific abuse and suffering.”
The RSPCA is also concerned about a suspected rise in domestic abuse incidents during major football tournaments, including the ongoing World Cup. The charity says pets can also be victims of this crime.
In response to the fears, the RSPCA has launched a domestic abuse help page on its website, which is already seeing more than 1,000 visits every day.
Superintendent Hirst added: “We don’t know for sure what is driving this peak in cruelty reports, but the surge in pet ownership during the pandemic has played a factor, while the longer days mean more people may witness and report such violence during the summer months.
“In addition this year, we have the World Cup. We know from other charities that football doesn't explicitly cause domestic abuse; however factors around major tournaments can increase the prevalence of violence and exacerbate the situation, due to the emotions it creates and an increase in alcohol intake.
“Sadly this year we expect the upward trend will continue and we are already busier than ever rescuing animals from many awful situations and our centres are full with thousands of animals being cared for in emergency kennels and catteries.
“We rely on the public to help us and together we can turn this season of cruelty into one of love, kindness and rescue for animals that need it the most. We’re so grateful to anyone choosing to donate.”