THIS Christmas has seen fewer animals abandoned than last year, according to RSPCA figures.

RSPCA spokeswoman Lucy Harding said: "We have had fewer abandoned animals than this time last year, which is good news. Obviously the message is getting through.

"However, it is sometimes later in the year when we hit problems. By March or April new pet owners can sometimes start to feel overwhelmed by their new responsibility."

The RSPCA measures its success by monitoring the number of calls it receives. Nationally, between December 24 and December 29 the charity received 22 more calls than last year.

Anna Mills, administrator for Swindon's RSPCA, said: "Fortunately there haven't been too many animals abandoned this Christmas. It's not as bleak a picture as it sometimes is."

Mrs Mills is in charge of re-homing animals abandoned in the Swindon area. Before Christmas an eight-month-old Alsatian puppy was dumped outside Tesco in the town centre. It was re-homed by the RSPCA within days.

The puppy and three cats were the only animals abandoned over the festive period.