New figures from the RSPCA show the charity’s emergency line had received 1,191 reports about animal neglect in Hampshire.

In the UK at large, the charity received 43,360 reports about neglected animals in the first 10 months of this year - with incidents shooting up an eye-watering 14.9 per cent compared to 2022.

The data follows previous statistics suggesting calls about abandoned animals are at a three-year high.

The charity said it was expecting to receive more than 21,400 calls about unwanted and dumped animals this year.

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: “Thousands of animals' lives are hanging in the balance this Christmas with animal neglect reports a real cause for concern - including in Hampshire.

“But there is hope. Our frontline officers work tirelessly to bring neglected animals to safety - and it's the kind-hearted public who power these rescue efforts.”