Firefighters and charities report rise in animal rescue callouts in England

"Firefighter callouts for animal rescue have risen by more than a quarter in five years, figures show, as charities warn of a new wave of abandonment linked to the soaring costs of food and vet bills. The RSPCA received a record 22,503 abandonment reports last year, as the cost of vets and pet food surged dramatically. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show vet costs last month were almost 50% higher than they were in 2020, and the average can of dog food went up in price from 60p to 1.03 over the same time period."

"The charity Cats Protection said booming pet ownership in the midst of a cost of living crisis was putting the rescue sector under pressure. Charities and firefighters, who often work hand in hand to rescue abandoned animals, were feeling the effect of those two things combined as owners face challenges caring for their pets, a spokesperson said. The fire service has seen animal rescue callouts in England increase by 27% over five years with domestic animal callouts up 38% in the same period."

"In the year to June 2025 there were 3,462 domestic animal rescues across the country more than a third of which were in London. The London Fire Brigade estimates 686,475 was spent on animal callouts in the year to June, a leap from 261,253 in 2020. Socks was found dumped in a bin in Camden Town, north London. Photograph: RSPCA Cheryl Hague, an RSPCA spokesperson, said in the pandemic, people took animals on, and realised it costs a lot more money than they want it to. They realise that and then give them up."

Firefighter animal rescue callouts in England increased 27% over five years, with domestic animal callouts up 38%. There were 3,462 domestic animal rescues in the year to June 2025, more than a third in London. The RSPCA recorded 22,503 abandonment reports last year. Vet costs are almost 50% higher than in 2020 and average canned dog food prices rose from 60p to 1.03, increasing the cost of pet ownership. London Fire Brigade spending on animal callouts rose from 261,253 in 2020 to 686,475 in the year to June. Abandoned animals include kittens found in bins and dogs left entangled in barbed wire.

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