Shocking new figures released by RSPCA Cymru show a 4% annual increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period across Wales - with reports on the rise annually too.

The animal welfare charity has released the startling new statistics today (July 1) as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign - showing the side of this season which many people don’t see - when animal cruelty reports peak.

In June, July and August last year across Wales the RSPCA took 1,884* cruelty calls to their emergency line - compared to 1,807* the year before - showing an increase of 4%. This also follows 1,701 in 2022 and 1,699 reports in 2021 - demonstrating a gradual increase over the past few years.

In 2024 - 14 out of the 22* local authorities show an increase in calls during the summer months.

In addition annually across Wales there has also been a rise in the number of cruelty reports as last year in total there were 6,391 reports, a rise from 6,166 in 2023. There were 5,870 reports in 2023.

To highlight the work it is doing to help animals in need a new video - starring singer Alesha Dixon - has been produced which features four pets rescued by the RSPCA from horrific circumstances who are now loving life in new homes.

Alesha, who is a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, said: “The RSPCA’s rescue and rehabilitation work gives victims of cruelty like Bernie, Bella, Berlioz and Benito another chance of a happy life. The charity also works hard to bring those responsible for such abuse to justice.

“I hope supporting their Summer Cruelty Appeal will raise awareness of the amazing work the RSPCA’s staff and volunteers carry out daily while raising vital funds so they continue transforming the lives of so many animals in need.

“It really made me feel I was helping their work in providing a voice to animals who cannot speak up about the cruelty they may be facing.

“It is shocking and heartbreaking that the RSPCA is reporting a 33% rise in animal cruelty during the summer months with 31 reports of cruelty made to the RSPCA every single hour the line is open, but working together we can save animals from this cruel side of summer.”

The RSPCA fears the surge in summer cruelty is due partly to a fall-out following the increase in pet ownership around the Covid pandemic - while longer summer days when more people are out and about means more people are likely to witness incidents of violence.

But according to a new YouGov survey 78% of UK adults are unaware that most cases of animal cruelty are reported in England and Wales during the summer.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Ian Briggs, an expert in cruelty cases, added: “We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of seasonal calls reporting animal cruelty to our emergency line. Sadly the summer months tend to be when these reports peak.

“We don’t know for sure why cruelty peaks at this time of year, but the surge in pet ownership during the pandemic has played a factor, while the longer days mean more people may witness and report such violence.

“This year, sadly, we fear the trend will continue and we are busier than ever rescuing animals from many awful situations. Many are broken by violence - not just physically but mentally - and our dedicated network of branches, animal centres and rescue teams work wonders in nursing them back to health and showing them how love can help transform their lives.

“To continue this work we rely on people’s support - just like Alesha Dixon. Together, we can rescue animals from the worst cruelty, provide life-saving treatment, and give them all the care and love they urgently need. We’re so grateful to anyone backing the Summer Cruelty Appeal and choosing to donate.”

Summer should be a season of joy for animals. Long walks on golden evenings. Zoomies on the beach. Stretching out in the garden to soak up the sun. But there’s a side to summer you don’t see.

For thousands of animals, it’s a season of pain, fear and suffering, when cruelty peaks. Support the RSPCA’s Summer Cruelty Appeal at: rspca.org.uk/endcruelty.