Rehoming methods We want all our animals to get the great homes they deserve, and we
start working towards that as soon as they come into our care. Our vets check them over
and make sure they are vaccinated, neutered, microchipped and given any treatments they
need, such as flea treatment or worming. Animals that have suffered cruelty or neglect often
need specialist veterinary and behavioural treatment to get into tip-top shape and ready for
their new lives. Because each animal is an individual, we take great care in matching every one
with the right owner. Our rehoming team makes sure the environment they will go to is right
for them, and we support owners to ensure the animal's new home is a happy, forever home.
Rocky's return
Boxer-cross Rocky was left to die in a ditch after being
shot in the head five times and battered with a shovel.
A council litter picker discovered Rocky lying next to the
blood covered bin bag he'd been dumped in three days
earlier. Incredibly, Rocky was microchipped so we were
able to track down his cruel owner who pleaded guilty
to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, was
banned from keeping animals for 20 years and given
20 weeks' imprisonment.
Despite his horrendous ordeal, Rocky battled
back to health with our help. It was at an RSPCA
Northamptonshire Branch rehoming day that Rocky first
met his new owners Darren and Rebecca. He was the first
dog they saw and admit they fell in love with him within
minutes. "He looked happy to see us - we ended up
spending the whole afternoon with him," says Rebecca.
At first there were a few reminders that Rocky had been
through a terrible experience, but with lots of love and
reassurance he's now enjoying his new life to the full.
RSPCA branches
Much of our animal welfare work is carried out by our
branches, which are run by volunteers. As self-funding,
separately registered charities, each RSPCA branch raises
money to keep their vital local animal centres going.
Homes for horses
With more than 800 neglected, abandoned and abused
equines in our care at the start of 2014, we launched
a full-scale appeal to find homes for them. More than
400 equines went to new homes in 2014 - the highest
number ever in a year.
One of the lucky ones was yearling Magpie. We found
him collapsed in a field, emaciated and riddled with lice
and worms. It took six months of intensive care at one
of our centres to nurse him back to full health. Once well
he featured in our national Homes for Horses appeal, and
within two weeks he was in a fantastic forever home.
Misery for Milo
When we first heard about Milo the marmoset the
three-year-old primate was underweight, housed alone
in a cramped, dirty bird cage and fed an inappropriate
diet including baby food from a jar. His owner took him
out on a lead to the pub, which is likely to be a terrifying
place for a shy, forest-dwelling species that tends to
dislike strangers and loud noises. Milo's owner admitted
causing his pet to suffer and was banned for life from
keeping any animals.
We rehomed Milo at Monkey World in Dorset. He is now
thriving and lives in a more natural environment, gets
specialist care and has companionship of his own kind.
www.rspca.org.uk/rehome
PAGE ELEVEN
our animal centres
and branches gave
53,263 animals a second
chance of a new
home in 2014
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
comes full circle
RSPCA care