CALLOUSLY abandoned, thoughtlessly dumped and left to starve.

Despite claiming to be a nation of animal lovers, thousands of animals in the south have suffered from horrific conditions and terrifying traumas in the past 12 months.

Shocking figures show that the RSPCA came to the rescue of 27,213 scared, neglected and sick animals, which had been forced to fend for themselves in 2007.

Most were dogs, cats and small domestic animals saved from their distressing and dangerous situations by RSPCA staff.

Whether it was a hawk trapped in a tree, cattle stranded in a flooded field or a young pony left emaciated and abandoned, no animal was too big or too small for the animal charity.

Rescue figures for the south and south west in 2007 show there was a shocking 219 per cent rise in the number of farm animals needing help.

There was a 15 per cent rise in the number of dogs being dumped by heartless owners, despite supposedly being man's best friend.

The plight of five abandoned hamsters hit the headlines in August last year, after being left to die in a plastic tub by the roadside in Portswood.

Two had already died but RSPCA officers got there in time to take the three surviving hamsters to the Stubbington Ark for treatment.

As today marks the start of RSPCA Week, the charity hopes that there is no excuse for dumping any animal.

John Tressidder, regional superintendent for the south and south west, said: "The RSPCA works around the clock to rescue thousands of animals every year from a wide range of distressing situations and 2007 was no exception.

"From birds injured by oil spills to cattle suffering from foot-and- mouth disease, and cats in road traffic accidents to dogs simply abandoned by their owners, the RSPCA was on hand to help all types of animals whatever the emergency.

"During RSPCA Week we want people to spare a thought for the many thousands of animals needing the RSPCA's help each year and in particular for anyone thinking about getting a pet to consider the responsibility they are taking on before doing so.

"Sadly we noticed a rise in the number of animals we rescued last year because they were callously abandoned. It is an offence to abandon any animal and there is never any excuse for doing so.''