MORE than 50 calls were made to the RSPCA by people concerned about abandoned dogs and cats during the Christmas and New Year period.

The calls in the county were among 299 made across the South East to the charity during the two-week period - up 62 on last year.

In Kent, 40 calls were made about abandoned dogs and 13 about abandoned cats.

RSPCA South East regional superintendent Paul Stilgoe said: “Christmas is supposed to be a time of goodwill which should apply to animals as well as humans – pets should not be forgotten or thrown out with the rubbish because we’re bored with them or have acquired a “better” model.

“Despite repeated pleas to the public not to abandon pets, our animal centres are full and we have seen more abandoned animals in the SE this Christmas than ever before.”