The RSPCA is today launching an emergency appeal to keep its rescue teams out on the frontline in Cheshire saving animals through the Coronavirus crisis.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by Government but vital funding is needed to keep them out on the road, continuing to rescue animals from the worst cruelty and neglect.

Although RSPCA centres have closed to the public, including Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich the charity continues to provide vital care to thousands of animals across England and Wales.  Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich is currently caring for 27 cats* and dozens of wild animals and is expecting even more to come into its care in the coming weeks as its rescue teams bring in more animals in need. Alongside this, the charity is also facing a huge financial strain as it is already seeing the damaging effect of this crisis on its fundraising income, while the costs of saving, treating and caring for animals continue.

The RSPCA national emergency appeal is being supported by comedian and animal lover Ricky Gervais.

He said: “It is really important for us all to pull together to help each other at this difficult time and someone needs to be there for animals, too. I would urge people to give whatever they can spare at this really difficult time to support the RSPCA so they can stay out on the frontline rescuing the animals who need them most.

“They are facing huge challenges through this crisis, but their amazing staff are committed to being there for animals in danger in any way they can and they can only do it with your help.” 

Last year, RSPCA rescuers dealt with 3,485 welfare incidents in Cheshire and they are continuing to save animals on the frontline through this difficult time. The teams are continuing an emergency-only service through the lockdown period.

Dermot Murphy, Head of the RSPCA Rescue Teams, said: “This is a time of national crisis, and many of us are anxious about the future and our loved ones. This crisis has touched all areas of life and the RSPCA is no different. As we all face the biggest challenge of a generation, the RSPCA must continue to be on the frontline, rescuing and caring for the animals who need us most.

“Our rescuers, vets and nurses have been designated key workers by the Government which means we can carry on saving animals from cruelty and neglect and we rely entirely on generous public donations to deliver our vital services.

“We are facing immense challenges and huge pressures on strained resources, but our hugely dedicated teams are out there dealing with emergencies and our centres continue to deliver vital care to thousands of animals, with more expected in the coming weeks.

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

Since the crisis deepened at the beginning of March, our animal cruelty line has received nearly 60,000 calls.

These include:

A fox cub which was so young her eyes were still closed has been rescued by the RSPCA in Altrincham. and is now being hand-reared at Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre. The press release is here

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

Rescued fox cub which still had her eyes closed is now being hand-reared at RSPCA centre 

The poor cub which was separated from her mother is now doing well with round-the-clock care 

A fox cub which was so young her eyes were still closed has been rescued by the RSPCA and is now being hand-reared at a specialist wildlife centre.

The cub’s mum was carrying her in her mouth when it is believed she was frightened and dropped her in the garden of a house in Marsden Drive, Altrincham.

The homeowners were concerned about the cub and called the RSPCA for advice and kindly monitored the cub from a safe distance. 

In most cases females will return and collect their cubs if given the opportunity, however unfortunately on this occasion that was not the case and  Inspector Jenny Bethel was sent to rescue her on Sunday morning (March 22). 

Whilst the best place for a fox cub is in the wild with their parents, the cub was very young and getting cold, and there was concern about leaving her any longer, so the cub was taken to one of the RSPCA wildlife centres. 

Jenny said: “When I went to the cub she was not moving and was so cold I was worried about her.

Her eyes were still closed which meant she was under 14 days old as their eyes normally open when they are between 10 and 14 days.

“I wrapped the cub up with a towel and placed a plastic bottle with hot water in at the side of her and rushed her for treatment. 

“After about 15 minutes of travelling I could hear her cries so felt relieved she was still alive and kept hoping she would hang on until I got her to the rescue centre.”

The cub was taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire, where staff are hand rearing every few hours and she is doing well. Once she is independent and strong enough she will be released back into the wild.

Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange, said: “It is sad that this cub had to come to us for care rather than grow up in the wild but we are so grateful to any member of the public that takes the time to contact us about animals they fear need help.

“However, it is important to remember that not all young animals need rescuing and many would be better off being left where they are and monitored for as long as possible as the parents are usually nearby. 

“Every year wildlife centres across the country are inundated with young wild animals after people, with the best of intentions, believe them to be orphaned or abandoned and bring them in.

“Our advice is that if you see a lone baby wild animal, unless they are obviously injured or in immediate danger from predators or traffic, monitor the situation from afar as they may not need rescuing. Young animals have a much greater chance of survival if they remain with their mothers.

“If you find a fox cub on their own and their eyes are open, the cub is probably fine – the parents will usually be nearby. Leave a supply of dog food and water nearby and check again after 24 hours. If the cub is in immediate danger – on a road or somewhere very exposed – safely move the cub to a sheltered, safe spot nearby, handling the cub as little as possible.”

Foxes that become used to humans do not survive in the wild and cubs should only be taken into captivity as a last resort. If you are concerned about an uninjured fox cub, or you have found a cub and its eyes are still closed, please contact the RSPCA on our 24-hour cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999.

During this difficult time, our priority is to help animals in need. We are already experiencing strain on our centres and frontline due to Covid-19 and this will worsen in the weeks ahead. To help the RSPCA though this challenging time, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/give or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.  We know this is a difficult time for animal lovers. Please visit our website for advice, information and support. 

The RSPCA has 19 national centres (including wildlife centres). 

The RSPCA also has four animal hospitals: Putney and Harmsworth in London, Birmingham and Manchester as well as Merthyr Clinic.