Four puppies found abandoned in shoebox box at Hampshire cemetery
The pups, thought to be just days old, were discovered by a member of the public who rushed them to the vet who contacted the animal welfare charity to report the concerning discovery.
The pups, who have been named Draco, Malfoy, Bones and Gravy by rescuers, were found at Westbourne Cemetery in Emsworth around 3:30pm on Tuesday (24 June).
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Morgan Ellison said: "It's heartbreaking that these puppies were abandoned in such a thoughtless way. They should be with their mum but instead were thrown away like rubbish.
"They were found by someone attending their mum's grave and taken to the vet where the nurse took them into care overnight before calling it in to us. We're so grateful to everyone who has shown kindness by helping them.
"They are now at The Stubbington Ark where they are getting care and support.
"It's never the right thing to do to abandon an animal. There is plenty of help and advice out there for struggling pet owners, such as on the RSPCA's website."
Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA's appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01556113.
The team at The Stubbington Ark, the rescue centre run by the RSPCA Solent Branch, are also appealing for help to cover the cost of caring for the pups.
New figures released by the RSPCA show a massive 33% annual increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period across England and Wales - with reports on the rise in Hampshire too.
The animal welfare charity has released the statistics 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 England and Wales the RSPCA took 34,401* cruelty calls to their emergency line - compared to 25,887* the year before, showing an increase by a third.
On average, it took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day during this period, or one call every two minutes the line was open.
And in Hampshire the number of cruelty reports over the summer months increased from 657 (2023) to 779 reports last year, an 18% increase.
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