Suffolk cat cruelty complaint figures released by RSPCA

One cat, named Cindy, was found abandoned in the county and came into the care of the Martlesham animal home. 

However, she did not need long to show her loving and affectionate nature.

Figures released as part of the RSPCA's Cancel Out Cruelty campaign show there were 18,000 cat cruelty complaints made across the UK last year. 

Of those, 246 reports of cruelty came in Suffolk. 

Cat cruelty is on the rise across the country (Image: RSPCA)

Adam Jones, RSPCA chief inspector for Suffolk, said: “Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising.

"It is heartbreaking that we are seeing such sad figures which show animal cruelty is, very sadly, on the rise.

“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis.

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“Each year, these reports reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months. The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit.”

The charity has released the figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign in a bid to raise to help frontline rescue teams.

It comes during a busy time for the animal welfare charity, which sees cruelty peak in the summer months.

Dr Sam Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animal department, said: “Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK with an estimated 11 million pet cats in UK homes, but our figures suggest sadly they are the second most abused pet - after dogs.

“While we don’t know for certain why there has been an increase, the cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis."