The RSPCA have confirmed that there were 233 reported incidents in Buckinghamshire last Christmas.

The charity also revealed that due to the ongoing pandemic, they believe that this number could increase this festive season.

On Christmas Day 2019, the RSPCA received more than 950 calls to report animal cruelty and neglect - their highest amount on that day since 2013.

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The charity also confirmed that last December, they received 63,000 calls, which made it the busiest Christmas for the charity since 2015.

In total, 558 dogs, 1,416 cats, 149 rabbits, and 167 wild animals were taken into care by the charity last December.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “Christmas may be different for many people this year but for the RSPCA, our teams will be working day in, day out, as usual, rescuing, caring and rehabilitating those animals who need us the most.

“Last year, we rescued thousands of animals over the winter months and we fear that due to the pandemic, we could be facing our toughest Christmas yet as we are braced for a rise in abandoned and neglected animals needing our help.”

This year, faced with the financial strain of the coronavirus crisis, the RSPCA is concerned that more people may struggle to care for their pets.

This could see a rise in them being potentially abandoned or neglected, which will put more pressure on the charity’s rescue teams.

And despite the pandemic this year, frontline teams will work night and day to save animals, by taking them to centres and hospitals across England and Wales, as they have been doing throughout the crisis.

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Dermot continued: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, including charities, so now more than ever we need your help to continue our vital work saving animals and giving them a voice.

“Our frontline teams are out throughout the winter, but they cannot do this alone, which is why the RSPCA has launched its Join the Christmas Rescue campaign to show how we can all help animals.

“From our animal rescuers, hospital and centre staff, and our volunteers to every supporter who picks up the phone to call us when an animal is in need, or donates to help us continue our work - every one of us is vital to make sure we can rescue the animals who need us the most.”

If you would to help the RSPCA this Christmas, visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas.