The RSPCA launches its festive appeal Stock the Sleigh to help needy animals this winter as it reveals last Christmas Day was the busiest for 5 years.
On 25 December 2018, the charity received 934 calls to its cruelty line – the highest number for five years and almost a third more than in 2017.
Last December, the charity reveals that there were more than 61,000 calls coming through to their cruelty line, which was up by more than 5,000 the previous year.
The RSPCA took more than 5,000 animals into its care last December and helped many more. Inspectors looked into more than 2,000 complaints of abandonment and more than 5,000 complaints of neglect.
While most people tuck into their Christmas dinners, the charity’s inspectors will be working 24 hours a day rescuing animals from pets to wildlife and bringing them to safety. Some animals can spend weeks, months and sometimes years in our care receiving the treatment and rehabilitation they need.
Dermot Murphey, Chief Inspectorate Officer said: “Our cruelty line received more than 900 calls on Christmas Day last year and our rescue officers are always out working through the festive period to help animals in need.
“Hospital staff will be working to provide veterinary care for injured and sick animals and our animal centre staff will be making sure the hundreds of pets and wild animals in our care over Christmas are well looked after.
“Rescue work doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas. We know that animals need our help all-year round and our officers are out in all weathers helping to save pets from abuse and neglect and rescuing wildlife who may be injured or in need of assistance.
“We are expecting to take in more than 10,000 animals this winter which means the officers, vets and animal care staff are braced for another busy festive period.
“We can’t do this on our own – we rely on our generous supporters to help the many animals who come into our care this Christmas in urgent need whether it is for veterinary care, medicine, food or a safe, comfortable and warm bed. We are asking animal lovers to Stock the Sleigh for the RSPCA and help us to care for these animals in desperate need this winter.”
To help the RSPCA deliver vital supplies to thousands of abused, neglected and abandoned animals left out in the cold this Christmas, you can visit www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness and watch your virtual gift fill up the sleigh with a grateful wag from Sprout the dog.
Spout, Tink and other festive characters feature in the RSPCA’s Christmas sweatshirts, www.rspca.org.uk/christmasmerch.
