THE RSPCA is bracing for its toughest Christmas yet faced with the financial strain of the coronavirus crisis.

Last year, the charity dealt with 1,809 incidents in Hampshire across the winter period and 620 in December alone.

This year because of the coronavirus crisis, the RSPCA is concerned that more people may struggle to care for their pets and could see a rise in them being abandoned or neglected, putting more pressure on the charity’s rescue teams than ever before.

The charity is now asking supporters to join the Christmas Rescue by donating to help rescue teams reach the thousands of animals who need them.

The charity’s officers are out on the frontline 365 days a year and say this year will be no exception.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “Christmas may be different for many people this year but for the RSPCA, our teams will be working day in, day out, as usual, rescuing, caring and rehabilitating those animals who need us the most.

"Last year, we rescued thousands of animals over the winter months and we fear that due to the pandemic, we could be facing our toughest Christmas yet as we are braced for a rise in abandoned and neglected animals needing our help.”