RSPCA emergency appeal to keep saving animals in Bedfordshire

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

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the 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, the charity continues to provide vital care to thousands of animals across the country, 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.

Last year, RSPCA rescuers dealt with 1,911 welfare incidents in Bedfordshire and they are continuing to save animals on the frontline through this difficult time.

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.”

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.

Among the animals helped was a pigeon stuck in a stairwell in a block of flats in Dunstable and a feral cat also in Luton.

An officer was called out on March 11, to a pigeon trapped in a stairwell in Dunstable which was unable to get out. The pigeon had been trying so hard to get out he crashed into the windows and even cracked the glass in one of them. The officer managed to catch the bird, which was given a clean bill of health and was monitored overnight and then released the next day.

Two days later, RSPCA officers were called to Luton for an injured stray cat who was caught, the cat was actually a feral - but had been ear-tipped (to show that she had previously been neutered) and she had a microchip with Cats Protection. Following a chat with the charity it was discovered that this cat’s suspected injury was actually an old injury which had left her with a slight limp - but she was fine and she was therefore released back to where she was found - and the caller will continue to monitor her.

To make a donation and help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment during these unprecedented times, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/covid.