New figures show the RSPCA sees a spike in cruelty during the summer months and with pet ownership on the rise coupled with financial pressures the charity is braced for a summer of suffering in Somerset.

The RSPCA receives around 90,000 calls to its cruelty line every month and investigates 6,000 reports of deliberate animal cruelty, including animal fighting and hunting. But in the summer* calls rise to 134,000 a month - three every minute and reports of cruelty soar to 7,600 each month - a heartbreaking 245 every day. 

The charity has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign today, to raise funds to help its rescue teams out on the frontline continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.

A tear jerking video released today follows the story of RSPCA Inspector Lauren Bailey who rescued Buddy, a mastiff-cross who suffered second degree burns from boiling hot water and was left in pain for 10 days.

Overall, the number of reports made to the charity's cruelty line about animals being inflicted with intentional harm - including beatings, mutilations such as ear cropping, poisonings and even killings, has increased by 7.9% from summer 2020 to summer 2021 with more than 2,300 reports in June and July alone.

In Somerset, there were 157 reports of intentional harm against animals made to the RSPCA last year. 

Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer at the RSPCA, said: "We are a nation of animal lovers and no one wants to think of an animal being cruelly treated but sadly the reality is that every day animals are victims of deliberate cruelty and thankfully the RSPCA is there to help them.

"There are many factors which could explain why we see a rise in cruelty during the summer months. The longer sunny days could mean people are out and about more and likely to see and report abuse. Hot summer days can also lead to more people drinking alcohol in the sun which in turn can be a factor causing violence. Perhaps there is boredom or pressures at home with children being off school which can make existing difficulties magnified. 

"And this year, we are also concerned that the recent rise in pet ownership coupled with the cost of living crisis could see people really struggling to care for their pets which may lead them to lash out or could see more animals than ever being abandoned or given up."

The RSPCA received 1,081,018 calls to its Cruelty Line in 2021 and these included reports of;

• 1,094 killings or nearly three animals killed a day
• 632 mutilations or 12 animals brutally mutilated every week
• 7,857 beatings which equates to one animal beaten every hour
• 38,087 abandonments which equates to more than 100 animals callously abandoned every day

Dermot added: "These figures are shocking and deeply upsetting and show why we need your help to save those animals who need us the most now more than ever. As a charity, we are bracing to tackle a summer of suffering but we cannot do this without your help."

The RSPCA needs your help rescuing animals like Clemetine and her kittens Marzipan, Crumble, Gingerbread, Eccle, Fairy and Genoise.

Mum Clementine and her kittens Marzipan, Crumble, Gingerbread, Eccle, Fairy, and Genoise were found abandoned in a cat carrier beside a road in Ashcott.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Ali Sparkes said: "A member of the public found these beauties in a hedge near a farm in the village of Ashcott. An open cat carrier was found nearby. 

"The mother was young and very thin and the kittens were just a few weeks old. Sadly one of the kittens passed away but thankfully six survived and were cared for by the team at RSPCA Brent Knoll Animal Centre. After getting much needed help and nutritional support they were found loving new homes."

The RSPCA's rescue teams need support to stay out on the frontline as the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty. 

• £2 could help to provide a meal for a cat or dog in our care
• £6 could help pay to feed a dog for a day in our care
• £10 could help pay towards bandages for a cat or dog
• £15 could help pay for a cat or dog's clinical exam
• £20 could help pay towards a bird catching kit
• £30 could help pay for a life jacket for an inspector
• £100 could help pay towards water rescue equipment
• £500 could kit out a 4x4 inspector van