The RSPCA has responded to 52 reported incidents to the charity's cruelty hotline in County Durham since the start of lockdown.
The animal charity has had 1,663 reported incidents of abandonments reported to its cruelty hotline - an average of 40 incidents a day.
Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA rescue teams, said: "Although much of the country is on lockdown, sadly there are still thousands of animals who need our help, including abandoned pets.
“Many people are finding their pets are a real source of comfort in these anxious times and thankfully cases of abandonment are slightly lower than usual but it’s heartbreaking that some animals are being dumped during this crisis.
“In most cases, we don’t know why pets are abandoned but it’s really important to remind people that there is no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 can be passed from pets to people.
“There is lots of help and support out there for anyone else struggling to get animal food, with health or behavioural issues, exercising their pets or managing to keep children safe around pets.
"Please don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
The rescue teams have dealt with several incidents of animal cruelty since the lockdown started.
Last month the animal charity responded to over 600 incidents of animal cruelty.
The RSPCA is also urging pet owners to make an emergency pet-care plan should they be admitted to the hospital with Coronavirus.
This includes placing a poster, available here, in the window informing people that there are pets inside.
Many owners are concerned about caring for their pets amid the Coronavirus - or Covid-19 - outbreak.
