SHOCKING figures released today (Thursday, July 27) show 360 cat cruelty reports were made to the RSPCA in Somerset last year.

It comes as the animal charity launches its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign to raise funds so its frontline rescue teams can continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse.

Nationally, last year there were almost 18,000 cat cruelty complaints reported to the RSPCA - of thoses 1,726 were intentional harm incidents, 25 per cent up on 2021.

Cruelty complaints are defined as abandonments, neglect and intentional harm left unattended.while intentional harm is attempted killing, poisonings, beatings, improper killing and suspicious circumstances.

Jenny Ride, RSPCA chief inspector for Somerset, said: “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.

“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.

“Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness.”

Dr Sam Gaines, RSPCA head of the 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.

“It is heart-breaking to think that five cats every day are suffering at the hands of humans. It really is appalling, but sadly the RSPCA knows all too well that this cruelty is carried out on a regular basis.

“We see hundreds of felines come through our doors every year who have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty - being beaten, burned, thrown around, had bones broken, been shot at, poisoned and drowned.

“In many cases these pets have been injured deliberately by their owners - the very people who are supposed to love and protect them.

"But cats are also more vulnerable as they tend to be out and about on their own which can leave them vulnerable to airgun attacks and other forms of cruelty by complete strangers.”

The RSPCA has a team of rescue officers in England and Wales, specialist vets and a network of animal care centres and 140 branches providing rehabilitation to animal victims.

To support the Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, visit www.rspca.org.uk/cruelty