'Smart cookie' needs a home as neglect figure rise

THE RSPCA has warned that "animals are starving behind closed doors" amid an increase in reports of neglect in Cambridgeshire.

- By CAIT FINDLAY

New figures show that reports of neglect in Cambridgeshire have risen 21 per cent over the last year.

The animal welfare charity said up to the end of October, its emergency line received 73,294 reports of neglect in England and Wales.

That represented a 30 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

In Cambridgeshire, the charity received 927 reports about neglected animals in the first 10 months of this year - a 21 per cent rise compared to 768 in the same period last year.

In total in 2024, there were 890 reports about neglected animals in Cambridgeshire made to the RSPCA.

Three-year-old Wookie is one of the many animals rescued by the RSPCA looking for a home in Cambridgeshire.

A spokesperson said the husky x German shepherd mix is “energetic and ready to start a new chapter with someone who'll show him what real home life feels like”.

Wookie came from a home with many dogs where he spent lots of time in a crate.

“Wookie is one smart cookie. He already knows sit, paw, and a handful of other tricks and he’s eager to learn more especially if snacks are involved,” the spokesperson said.