RSPCA rescuers dealt with more than 400 incidents in Cheshire since start of lockdown

In the month since the start of the lockdown, the RSPCA has dealt with over 21,000 animal incidents - an average of 660 a day, or 27 an hour. In Cheshire, the charity has dealt with 406 incidents since the start of lockdown.

The charity has released the figures as part of its emergency appeal, launched to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the Coronavirus crisis and continuing to rescue animals most in need.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the Government but vital funding is needed to help the RSPCA’s frontline staff continue this crucial work across England and Wales.

RSPCA rescuers have recorded vlogs to show what it’s like working on the frontline, in RSPCA animal hospitals and in animal centres during lockdown. 

Since the Government announced the lockdown on Monday 23 March:

• RSPCA rescuers have dealt with 21,137 incidents of animal cruelty and suffering animals which need help

• The charity has received more than 66,000 calls from members of the public

• There are 4,200 animals in RSPCA care*

• The charity has rescued more than 1,274 abandoned animals in need.

In Cheshire the RSPCA has dealt with 406 incidents. The charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre & Cattery in Nantwich currently has 308 animals in their care.*

Among the animals rescued in Cheshire since the start of lockdown include a heron which was found in Winsford having been shot with an air rifle. The bird is currently being treated at Stapeley Grange.

And during the lockdown, Stapeley Grange has admitted its first kitten of the kitten season - a five-week old kitten named Inky who was rescued as a stray on 6 April.

Nationally, among the animals rescued since the start of the lockdown include a lurcher named Harvey (pictured above) who was abandoned in a garden in Norfolk. An RSPCA inspector spent two hours trying to get the frightened dog to trust her enough to allow her to put him on a lead.

Harvey has now been taken in by the RSPCA and is one of 4,200 animals the charity continues to care for during lockdown.

Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer, said: “Despite the lockdown, there are still thousands of animals which need our help.

“As designated key workers, our frontline rescuers are still out and about rescuing animals in urgent need of care. The Coronavirus crisis hasn't put a stop to animal suffering and these figures show there are still many animals out there that need rescuing.

"Our rescuers have dealt with over 21,000 incidents in the last three weeks, an average of 660 a day and there are many more animals who need our help. However, our resources are under huge strain and vital funding is needed to keep our rescue teams out on the road.

“We know that this is a difficult time for everyone but we must still be here for animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us.”

As well as operating an emergency service, rescuing animals in need, RSPCA officers have also been collecting animals from the homes of people who have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, who may not have anyone else to care for them while their owners are being treated.

RSPCA Animal Hospital teams are carrying out lifesaving operations and giving emergency treatment to animals most in need. 

Among the animals which have been rescued by the RSPCA since lockdown started are:

• A stray newborn kitten found with a wound across his body caused by a piece of ligature, rescued from a garden in Birmingham

• A pheasant which was rescued from a car grille after being stuck there for EIGHT days

• A dehydrated baby owlet which was found struggling to survive in a village in Suffolk

• Three rabbits which were dumped with fly-litter in Essex

The RSPCA is also urging pet-owners to make an emergency pet-care plan should they be admitted to hospital with Coronavirus, including placing a poster in the window informing people that there are pets inside.

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid

Many owners are concerned about caring for their pets amid the Coronavirus - or Covid-19 - outbreak. There’s lots of advice and help on our website.