RSPCA Victoria has announced the state is facing a horse crisis with more than 8100 horses involved in animal cruelty reports this year.

The organisation has called on horse owners to make sure they are prepared with enough feed and water for their animals.

With severe rainfall deficiencies over the last 12 months, available feed is becoming increasingly scarce and ongoing cost-of-living pressures means many are struggling to buy necessary feed.

As a result, RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate has received nearly 800 animal cruelty reports specifically related to 8100 horses this financial year, a 37 per cent increase on the previous year, with more than 800 horses still involved in active investigations.

RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michelle Green said the number of horses reported has skyrocketed.

“This year we have already taken 183 horses into our care," she said.

“Caring for these horses comes at a cost with each horse estimated to remain under our care for an average of 120 days, costing nearly $50 per day per horse."

Neglect towards horses is often more visible than other forms of animal cruelty, and is expected to get worse as the drought continues.

With only 28 Inspectors on the road to investigate more than 10,000 cruelty reports across the state, RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker reiterated the call for sufficient government funding amid increasing safety concerns after years of supplementing its law enforcement arm with community donations.

“Without sufficient funding we will likely need to restrict the species of animal we investigate, rehabilitate and rehome, removing horses, poultry, and livestock from our scope of work,” Dr Walker said.

RSPCA Victoria currently receives ongoing funding from the Victorian Government ($2.3 million per year) only covering around 21 per cent of its Inspectorate costs, forecast to be $10.8 million this financial year.

“While we’re grateful for the funding we receive, this barely makes a dent in the amount it costs keep our inspectors on the road and to care and rehabilitate the animals coming in,” Dr Walker said.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals with first-hand information is urged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report or by calling 03 9224 2222.